Kent man deliberately fell on Ipswich Town fans, trial hears
A football fan is on trial for assault after allegedly throwing himself from an upper tier onto spectators below during an FA Cup match. The defendant denies the charges, claiming he lost his balance.
Why it matters
The case highlights issues of fan safety and behavior at large-scale sporting events, which can lead to legal and regulatory consequences.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Zoie O'Brien at Ipswich Crown Court Jamie Niblock/BBC John Ryan, pictured at a previous court hearing, is accused of falling from the upper tier of Portman Road A football fan deliberately threw himself to a lower tier of a grandstand during a match, a court heard.
Maidstone United supporter John Ryan is accused of falling from the upper tier on to a section of home supporters at Ipswich Town's Portman Road ground during an FA Cup clash in January 2024.
The 62-year-old of Rochester Street, Chatham, Kent denies two counts of assault by beating and one count of actual bodily harm.
Opening the trial at Ipswich Crown Court, prosecutor Simon Gladwell told the court Ryan had been intoxicated and injured a woman and a man in the lower tier.
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