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'Lucky' police officer describes Manchester ordeal

16/05/2008

The police officer who was set upon by a group of Rangers fans following the Uefa Cup final in Manchester on Wednesday has claimed he was lucky to escape serious injury.

Police Constable Mick Regan was kicked, punched and stamped on after he slipped while retreating from a large mob of supporters in Manchester's city centre.

He sustained injuries to his ribs and arm but claims he was lucky to escape further injury when two Rangers fans dragged him away.

Trouble broke first broke out in Piccadilly Gardens after one of the giants screens broke down during the game, which Rangers went on to lose 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg.

PC Regan claimed he sensed scenes were beginning to turn ugly when he started hearing reports on his radio.

"From the outset we were bombarded with bottles and cans as we tried to contain and disperse the crowd," he said.

"It was unbelievable when we got there - it was already in motion. It was frightening, on a different scale from any other match I have worked in my 23-year career."

The police officer said he ended up in trouble after being hit by a bottle thrown by a fan.

"I remember moving backwards to try and avoid being hit again but next thing I was on the floor," he said.

"I could feel the crowd kicking me in the side but my body armour was protecting me. I could see their feet in front of me even though my head was on the floor.

"I managed to get up but I'd lost my baton and had nothing to defend myself with.

"I started to try and run - I'm a fit lad and I do marathons but I think I must have been winded because I couldn't run properly even though I knew I was being followed by the mob."

PC Regan praised the two fans that came to his rescue as the crowd was attacking him.

One of his rescuers shouted that he was a British Army medic before dragging the police officer free from the mob,

"If they had not come along at that point I'd have been in big trouble. I'd have been seriously injured. I knew I was going to get done over," PC Regan added.

"I feel lucky; whoever that army lad was, he wants a medal."

Greater Manchester police today released further details of those charged in connection with the riots on Wednesday.

George Dallas, of Kempsthorn Crescent, Glasgow, has been charged with assault and appeared before a magistrates court yesterday.

Andrew Hamilton, 28, of Whitevale Street, Glasgow, was charged with being drunk in a sports ground.

Grant Robertson, Craig Bryson, Bryan Reid, Stewart McCardle, Anthony McCartney and Philip O'Donnell were all charged with section 5 public order offences.

Three teenagers were also charged with public order offences and with throwing a missile.