Magistrates express concern over assault at football match

Sunday, 27 October 2019 11:25

Footballer fined following altercation at Ballacloan Stadium

A court’s heard a footballer from Pulrose and two members of his family assaulted spectators after a match in Ramsey.

Twenty-year-old James Gerard Maginn of Oak Avenue appeared before magistrates at Douglas Courthouse.

He pleaded guilty to assault on 23 February at Ballacloan Stadium after his team had played against Ramsey Football Club.

Prosecution advocate Rachael Braidwood said Maginn thought he’d been abused by spectators during the match, and he, along with his sister and father, had been involved in violence afterwards.

Mrs Braidwood said after the game, Maginn punched a man on crutches to the floor while his sister attacked the man’s girlfriend.

His father, 39-year-old Robert Patrick Maginn, had previously admitted using threatening behaviour while his sister, 18-year-old Caitlin Marie Maginn, had previously admitted assault.

Maginn, who now plays for St Mary’s, told police after the incident he’d acted in self-defence after being attacked by the man, who had a broken leg.

Magistrates said although it wasn’t unusual to hear of hooliganism, they were worried to hear of it in Manx football.

They fined Maginn £200, also ordering him to pay £50 towards prosecution costs and £100 compensation to his victim.

Magistrates express concern over assault at football match

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