Ryder set to have his day in court

PORT Adelaide ruckman Patrick Ryder intends to challenge charges of assaulting police when he appears in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on November 15.

Ryder yesterday broke his silence calling on “people not to judge me yet” while the AFL club described reports of the All-Australian ruckman’s part in a scuffle at Hindley Street at 1.15am Sunday as “incorrect” and “unsubstantiated”.

Ryder, 29, was arrested with two West Australian men – understood to be his younger brother and cousin – on Sunday morning.

In a prepared statement, Ryder said yesterday: “Last weekend, I was charged by police with hindering police and an assault on a police officer.

“I think it is unfortunate that the information given to the public so far by the media falls a long way short of the full picture. But there is nothing I can do about that at the moment.

“Other than to ask people not to judge me yet and to allow me to deal with this in the right way.

“I look forward to the opportunity to deal with these allegations in court.”