Grieving friend fined £10k for organising tribute to tragic Sheffield man Tyrone Forde

The 23-year-old was fined by Derbyshire Constabulary for posting messages on social media encouraging people to attend a gathering –which is a breach of restrictions in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Around 400 people turned up for the event, which was held as a tribute for Tyrone Forde, 22, who lost his life in the crash on the M1 earlier this month.

Fireworks were let off at the gathering on land near Shirebrook Leisure Centre on April 5.

Ebony Cheeseman, a friend of Tyrone, who used to live in Shirebrook, said: “It’s a really close friend who was issued the fine.

“I think it’s a joke.

“We did something nice for a close friend of ours who passed – and this is what happens.”

Derbyshire Constabulary said: “Large numbers of fireworks were set off by the group and the force received dozens of calls from local people.

“Officers attended and dispersed the group.

“Following enquiries, including numerous videos found of the gathering on social media, the man who has received the ticket was identified as the organiser.”

Chief Superintendent Hayley Barnett, who leads policing in the north of the county, said: “Over the last year thousands of people have lost loved ones and have been unable to grieve in the way they would normally be able to.

“We understand how hard this and my heart goes out to all those who find themselves in a situation that means they are unable to say goodbye.

“However, coronavirus still remains a very real risk to public health with restrictions on certain gatherings still in place and we will continue to use enforcement measures where necessary to protect the public.”

Tyrone and his friend Jordan Caster, 19, from Sheffield, died in a collision on the M1 between Junctions 30 and 31, near Sheffield, on Sunday, April 4.

The white Volkswagen Golf they were travelling in left the carriageway and collided with a barrier and several trees before coming to rest on its roof.

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