Fan cleared of assaults after fall from Ipswich stand
Away fan John Ryan toppled from the upper tier at Ipswich's ground and landed on home supporters.
Key points
- John Ryan, 62, was found not guilty of assault and actual bodily harm after falling from Ipswich Town's Cobbold Stand in January 2024.
- Ryan told Ipswich Crown Court he could not stop himself during goal celebrations as Maidstone United beat Ipswich 2-1.
- Ipswich Town later installed glass screens at the bottom of the upper tier to improve safety.
A Maidstone United supporter who fell from the upper tier of a stand during an FA Cup match at Ipswich Town's Portman Road and injured fans below has been cleared of assault. John Ryan, 62, of Railway Street, Chatham, Kent, was found not guilty of one count of assault by beating and one count of actual bodily harm at Ipswich Crown Court.
The incident happened in January 2024 during Maidstone's 2-1 win over Ipswich. Ryan fell over the edge of the upper tier in the Cobbold Stand and slid down the roof of the boxes, landing on Joanne Peters and her partner Aaron Rose.
What Ryan told the court
Ryan denied the charges and told the court he had been unable to stop himself during goal celebrations. He said he was unsure whether he had been pushed or his foot had slipped when he fell.
He described the game as "the biggest match in the club's history" and said he had been celebrating a "special" goal. Ryan could be seen crying in the dock as the jury returned not guilty verdicts, and afterwards said "it's been very stressful".
I'm sorry, it was an accident. I'm sorry it happened, what more can I say?
— John Ryan
Injuries and safety changes
Peters told the court she initially thought the supporters' box behind her had collapsed and that she "could have died". She said she suffered "elements of whiplash", numbness in her hands and internal bruising, while Rose said he was kicked in the head and believed Ryan had been drunk.
Prosecutor Simon Gladwell told the trial that Ryan had drunk five cans of lager before the match. Shortly after the fall, Ipswich Town introduced glass screens at the bottom of the upper tier of the Cobbold Stand to try to improve safety.
