Southend’s Inniss freed from prison

Southend defender Ryan Inniss has been released from prison on appeal after smashing a bottle over a man’s head in a nightclub

The 21-year-old, who is on a season-long loan at Roots Hall from parent club Crystal Palace, was jailed for 14 weeks after admitting the assault in Time nightclub in Beckenham.

It meant he was in HMP Belmarsh on Saturday, and therefore unable to make his debut in Southend’s defeat at Scunthorpe on Saturday.

However, after appeal, a judge has now suspended the sentence for 18 months, meaning he is now available for selection at The Shrimpers.

Inniss, who has never made a first-team appearance for Palace and has had loan spells at Cheltenham, Luton, Port Vale, GIllingham and Yeovil, was jailed at Bexley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday following the assault.

The appeal, which was heard by Judge Adam Hiddleston at Croydon Crown Court, saw Inniss ordered to complete 240 hours community service and banned him from entering licensed premises – except for work or buying food – for a year.

Inniss must also complete an alcohol treatment requirement and comply with the magistrates’ order to pay £300 to his victim.