Rugby player sues over injuries

A rugby player is claiming damages after suffering a serious eye injury which ended his career.

Former Moseley player Stuart McKinnon was injured in a second-team match against Coventry RFC in September 2001.

The 39-year-old prop, from Upper Quinton, Warwickshire, told Coventry County Court he did not see who had struck him, while stooping for a ruck.

He is claiming compensation from Coventry RFC and two of its former players.

'Swung a punch'

He told the court the incident happened in seconds as he ran towards the ruck with his head down.

"My head went backwards, someone came in and swung a punch and I went down on my hands and knees," he said.

One of the players being sued, former team captain Mark Ellis, told the court he struck Mr McKinnon in self-defence.

Representing himself, Mr Ellis said the referee had penalised Mr McKinnon for stamping during the ruck.

"As I was arriving, Mr McKinnon was coming over the top of the ruck and he threw a punch at me and I threw a punch back," he said.

Mr McKinnon said the claim was a "complete lie."

Also giving evidence was Moseley team captain Rob Sigley.

He said he saw a second Coventry player, Trevor Revan, hit Mr McKinnon.

Mr Revan had been subjected to Rugby Football Union in October 2001 and charged by police with assault but the charge was dropped after he claimed he struck the blow in self defence.

The case was adjourned until Thursday.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version