CHARLTON FAN ‘PUNCHED PALACE EAGLE IN RIOT’

CRYSTAL Palace’s American bald eagle football mascot was punched by a rival fan, a court heard.

Kayla, a 25-year-old bird of prey, was targeted by a Charlton Athletic supporter when violence broke out during a Capital One third-round tie at Selhurst Park, Croydon Crown Court was told.

Daniel Boylett, 36, of Eltham, south east London, denies attempted criminal damage in the alleged attack.

Kayla’s handler Chris Belsey had been walking around the pitch with Kayla on his arm when a punch was thrown from the crowd, the jury heard.

Prosecutor Daniel Higgins said: “As he passed the stand he noticed three or four fans were shouting abuse and one of these leant over the barrier and threw a punch directed at Kayla.

“He pulled Kayla away slightly to keep her from any further attack.”

Mr Higgins said Kayla “seemed FLIGHTING MOOD: Kayla was allegedly punched by Boylett ( unhurt” but added “due to her delicate bone structure if she had been hit with force, her bones could easily break”.

He said there “is no dispute” Boylett threw the punch but questions may surround whether he intended worse to happen.

Boylett appeared in the dock with Colin Kitto, 49, of Eltham, Andy McConville, 48, of Rochester, Kent, Billy Cowcher, 32, of Greenwich, south east London and Sam Donegan, 25, of Welling, Bexley, in south London, who have been charged with the football violence. McConville, Boylett and Kitto each deny two counts of violent disorder.

Cowcher and Donegan each also deny a charge of violent disorder.

Police estimate that “100, possibly several hundred” people may have been involved in the trouble at the derby game on September 23, 2015, which Charlton lost 4-1.

The trial continues.