Prosecutors drop Sheffield United star Rhian Brewster's assault charge

2022-07-28

Prosecutors drop assault charge against Sheffield United star Rhian Brewster after fan claimed he was stamped on during Nottingham Forest pitch invasion at Championship play-off semi-final

A brief hearing was held at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court today
The charge had alleged Brewster, 22, assaulted George Brinkley on May 17
Fellow Blades star Oli McBurnie, 26, still faces the same charge
Proceedings against McBurnie were adjourned until next Thursday

Prosecutors have dropped an assault charge brought against Sheffield United footballer Rhian Brewster after a fan claimed he was stamped on during a pitch invasion.

A brief hearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, held in Brewster’s absence today, was told a charge of common assault against the 22-year-old has been discontinued.

The charge had alleged Brewster assaulted Nottingham Forest fan George Brinkley at the City Ground following the Championship play-off semi-final on May 17 when victorious Forest fans invaded the pitch.

Fellow Blades star Oli McBurnie still faces the same charge and proceedings against him were adjourned administratively by the same court until next Thursday.

Prosecutors have dropped an assault charge brought against Sheffield United footballer Rhian Brewster (pictured centre) after a fan claimed he was stamped on during a pitch invasion

McBurnie, a 26-year-old Scotland international, from Knaresborough in North Yorkshire, was not required to attend court and his lawyer was also not present.

Before adjourning the two-minute hearing, Deputy District Judge Samantha Rastogi asked prosecutor Freddie Sail: ‘For Rhian Brewster, I understand Mr Sail that the Crown have discontinued that case?’

Confirming that a discontinuation notice had been served, Mr Sail responded: ‘That is the position ma’am.’

The judge added: ‘In relation to the case of Mr Oli McBurnie the case stands adjourned until 10am on the 4th of August.’

Fellow Blades star Oli McBurnie still faces the same charge and proceedings against him were adjourned administratively by the same court until next Thursday

The court was told that a review of the case against McBurnie was also taking place.

Forest, who went on to earn promotion to the Premier League, won 3-2 on penalties after the semi-final tie against United ended 3-3 on aggregate.

Home fans then invaded the pitch, during which Blades skipper Billy Sharp was headbutted by a supporter who was later jailed.

Home fans then invaded the pitch, during which Blades skipper Billy Sharp (pictured) was headbutted by a supporter who was later jailed

Forest season ticket holder Robert Biggs (pictured), 30, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which left Sharp requiring four stitches to a wound on his lip

Forest season ticket holder Robert Biggs, 30, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which left Sharp requiring four stitches to a wound on his lip.

Biggs, a £55,000-a-year electrical engineer, was jailed on May 19 for 24 weeks and handed a 10-year football banning order.

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