Celebration Gone Wrong: Man Acquitted After Grandstand Fall
A Kent man has been cleared of assault charges following a dramatic trial at Ipswich Crown Court.
John Ryan, a devoted Maidstone United fan, took a tumble from the upper tier of the grandstand, landing on unsuspecting fans below during an FA Cup match in January 2024.
The 62-year-old from Railway Street, Chatham, faced accusations of assault and actual bodily harm but insisted he lost his balance while celebrating a goal. Emotions ran high in the courtroom as Ryan was visibly moved when the jury delivered their not guilty verdict.
Footage shown to the jury depicted Ryan sliding down the sloped roof between the upper and lower tiers of the stand, ultimately crashing onto Ipswich supporters below.
For Ryan, this game was monumental, marking what he called “the biggest match in the club's history.” He described the goal that triggered his celebration as “special.”
During his testimony, Ryan expressed uncertainty about the circumstances of his fall, unsure if he was pushed or simply lost his footing.
The prosecution, led by Simon Gladwell, highlighted that Ryan had consumed five cans of lager prior to the game, potentially influencing his actions.
Joanne Peters, one of the fans injured in the fall, reported suffering from symptoms akin to whiplash, along with numbness and internal bruising. Her partner, Aaron Rose, described being kicked in the head during the chaotic incident.
Rose, who believed Ryan was intoxicated, stated, "It wouldn’t take a scientist to work it out."
The trial revealed the intense atmosphere of the match, where Maidstone United pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over Ipswich, who were on their way to promotion that season.
