Supporter accused of assaulting fans after Portman Road fall faces trial

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 08:19 · Archive

A football fan is due to stand trial for allegedly assaulting supporters after falling from the upper tier during an FA Cup match.

John Ryan, 61, of Chatham, Kent, is due to stand trial at Ipswich Crown Court starting Monday, according to a mention hearing held on Friday. He faces one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of assault by beating.

The charges relate to an incident during Ipswich Town's FA Cup tie against Maidstone United in January 2024. Prosecutors allege Ryan fell from the upper tier of the Cobbold Stand into a section of home supporters below. A man allegedly suffered injuries amounting to actual bodily harm, while a woman was assaulted when he fell on top of her.

Ryan denies all three allegations. Following the incident, Suffolk Constabulary initially said it would not be treating the matter as a police issue. However, an investigation later led to Ryan being arrested and charged.

How it is being reported

• Supporter who fell onto Town fans at Portman Road to face trial next weekA football fan accused of assaulting a man and injuring a woman during an FA Cup match at Portman Road is due to stand trial next week.Ipswich Star · 10 Oct, 08:00
• Supporter who fell onto Town fans at Portman Road to face trial next weekA football fan accused of assaulting a man and injuring a woman during an FA Cup match at Portman Road is due to stand trial next week.East Anglian Daily Times · 10 Oct, 08:00

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

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