He fell off a football stand – and ended up on trial for assault
A 62-year-old football supporter who fell from the upper tier at Portman Road during one of the FA Cup's greatest upsets has been cleared of assault. Almost three years after the incident, a Crown Court jury has delivered a verdict that raises a question: how did this become a criminal prosecution?
Why it matters: John Ryan, a Maidstone United supporter, broke down in tears at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday (14 October) after being found not guilty of assault by beating and actual bodily harm. His alleged crime was deliberately throwing himself from a football stand onto supporters below.
The details: The incident happened on 27 January 2024, when non-league Maidstone United travelled to Portman Road for an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Ipswich Town.
When Lamar Reynolds scored Maidstone's opening goal, the travelling supporters erupted in celebration.
Among them was Ryan, who found himself going over the barrier at the front of the Cobbold Stand's upper tier, rolling down the sloping roof of the hospitality boxes and landing on Ipswich supporters below. Two fans, Joanne Peters and her partner Aaron Rose, suffered injuries.
What happened in court: Prosecutors argued that Ryan, who admitted drinking five cans of lager before the lunchtime kick-off, had deliberately propelled himself onto the roof, acting at least recklessly towards those beneath him.
Ryan maintained that he had lost control during the celebrations and could not say whether he had slipped or been pushed.
He insisted he certainly hadn't intended to injure anybody.
The jury agreed that the prosecution had not proved its case, acquitting him of both charges.
Speaking afterwards, an emotional Ryan described the proceedings as "very stressful" and apologised to the injured supporters.
"I'm sorry, it was an accident," he said.
The bigger picture: Suffolk Constabulary initially said in January 2024 that the incident was not a police matter, with the football club conducting its own investigation.
Ryan was subsequently charged in August that year.
Ipswich Town has since installed transparent barriers at the stand to help prevent anything similar happening again.
The bottom line: Nearly three years after an incident in the stands ended with a supporter falling into the crowd, a Crown Court jury has found John Ryan not guilty of both offences.
There may be legitimate questions about stadium safety, alcohol and the occasionally excessive enthusiasm of football supporters. But whether this particular incident really warranted a criminal trial, with all the expense, time and personal distress involved, is another question entirely.
And after Wednesday's verdict, it is one that deserves to be asked.
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