Teen arrested after A66 crash admits weapon crimes

A teenager arrested in the wake of the A66 crash which killed seven people, including two police officers, has admitted weapons offences in relation to a shooting.

Kai Beattie, 19 and from Redcar, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger a life and having a machete.

Beattie's barrister Gary Wood said the teenager admitted being present when a gun was fired in Grangetown on 22 July, but denied being the shooter. Prosecutor Richard Herrmann said "the Crown firmly say this young man was the shooter of the gun", but his basis of plea would be considered.

Beattie was remanded into custody and is due to be sentenced on 20 November.

A Newton hearing, or trial of issue, may need to be held to determine the shooting issue as it could affect his eventual sentence, the court heard.

Beattie was arrested as part of police operations after the crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough on 22 August,

PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades were killed when their response car was struck head-on by a VW Passat going the wrong way down the dual carriageway.

All five men in the other car also died at the scene.

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