Michael Ian Spoehr had affray and assault charges dropped after on-field junior football melee
A supporter who claimed self defence following an on-field melee at a junior football game had his charges dropped, with his lawyer hitting back at ‘one-eyed’ prosecution.
North & North East
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A man accused of affray and assault following an on-field melee at a junior football game had his charges dropped, with his lawyer saying he claimed self defence from the start.
Michael Ian Spoehr’s trial was due to kick off in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday but prosecution announced they would not be proceeding with the charges.
Mr Spoehr, 45, was arrested following an ugly incident at an SANFL Juniors under-17.5 girls match on May 23, 2021 at Edwardstown Memorial Oval about 6.30pm between Ingle Farm and Edwardstown.
The melee caused the game to be called off by the field umpire midway through the fourth quarter.
Outside court, Nick Vadasz, for Mr Spoehr – who was not present at court – told reporters he thought prosecution “backed the wrong team”.
“Like a lot of barrackers they remained one-eyed instead of being impartial and they lost,” he said.
Mr Vadasz said Mr Spoehr always maintained self defence from his first police interview and hoped now he would be able to watch his daughter play.
“There’s another season coming up so hopefully he’ll be able to watch that,” he said.
Mr Spoehr, of Ingle Farm, was banned for life from attending SANFL junior games following the incident.
It was the first time in the history of the SANFL junior competitions that a spectator had been given a lifetime ban.
A separate Edwardstown parent was also suspended from attending any junior matches for the rest of the season for entering the field of play, verbally abusing Ingle Farm players and engaging with umpires.
Both clubs were fined over the incident.
After his first court appearance in August last year, Mr Spoehr told reporters the charges were a “load of crap”.
“I was standing there minding my own business. I didn’t do anything wrong.” he said.
Mr Spoehr said he got involved in the melee only to aid a woman who was allegedly “palmed in the face” after asking another spectator to stop filming her niece.
“I was helping a lady that was being assaulted, work that out,” he said.
“He palmed the woman in the face … I thought I’d be a d******* if I didn’t help. I had three blokes coming at me.”
In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday, Magistrate Kym Millard ordered prosecution pay costs of $5716.70.
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