Man accused of falling on Town fan to stand trial

John Ryan is accused of falling into a section of home supporters in the Cobbold Stand at Portman Road during the Tractor Boys’ FA Cup tie against Maidstone United

A football fan is due to stand trial after pleading not guilty to assaulting a man and injuring a woman by falling on top of her during an Ipswich Town match.

John Ryan appeared at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court charged with assault causing actual bodily harm and two counts of assault by beating on 21 January.

He is accused of falling from the upper tier into a section of home supporters in the Cobbold Stand at Portman Road during the Tractor Boys’ FA Cup tie against Maidstone United.

The 60-year-old, of Rochester Street, Chatham, Kent, denied all charges and was released on unconditional bail after opting to be tried by a jury at a later date.

A pre-trial and preparation hearing will take place at Ipswich Crown Court on 14 October.

Following the incident, Suffolk Police initially said it would not be treating it as a police matter.

Barriers have since been added to the upper tier of the Cobbold Stand as part of a raft of improvements made at Portman Road.