Man accused of deliberately falling on Ipswich fans from roof

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 18:02 · Archive

A Maidstone United supporter is accused of deliberately throwing himself from a roof on to home supporters during an FA Cup match at Ipswich Town in January 2024.

John Ryan, a 62-year-old from Chatham, Kent, is accused of falling from the upper tier of Portman Road on to home supporters during an FA Cup match in January 2024. The prosecutor told Ipswich Crown Court that Ryan was intoxicated and deliberately threw himself on to a roof before rolling off it on to a woman and her partner sitting below. He injured the woman with internal bruising and a trapped nerve, and the man with a sore shoulder.

More than 4,000 Maidstone United supporters had travelled to Ipswich for the match. When Maidstone scored towards the end of the first half, Ryan climbed on to the roof. CCTV and social media footage captured him rolling down the roof and landing on the crowd below. Ryan was taken away by stewards, ejected from the stadium, and a police investigation began after footage was reviewed.

Ryan denies two counts of assault by beating and one count of actual bodily harm. The court heard that he claimed the wall was so low he could not stop himself from falling and that he did not know whether he was pushed. Two other Maidstone supporters attempted to get on the roof but were stopped.

How it is being reported

• Man deliberately fell on Ipswich fans, trial hearsHe is accused of falling from the upper tier into a section of home supporters at Portman Road.BBC Suffolk · 12 Oct, 17:29
• Maidstone supporter fell on Ipswich Town supporters during cup gameA drunk football fan “deliberately” climbed on to a roof during an Ipswich Town FA cup match and fell on two supporters sitting below, it has been alleged.Ipswich Star · 12 Oct, 16:30

In this story: John Ryan · Maidstone United · Ipswich Town · Portman Road · Ipswich Crown Court · Chatham

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