Young footballer's dreams of going pro ruined by drunk mum's bottle attack

Promising footballer Indiana Totty was attacked by Amanda Ross, 39, when they were on a bus in Nottingham, who threw a bottle of vodka at her head and ending hopes of turning professional

A young footballer who had dreams of turning professional and then joining the army had her hopes ruined when a mum of three attacked her with a bottle.

Amanda Ross, 39, got on a bus Indiana Totty and a male friend were on, and started flicking liquid on the victim, who asked her to stop. The friends moved to the upper deck to escape Ross, but she followed and started calling her names. She then threw a bottle of vodka which “bounced off” Miss Totty’s head, NottinghamshireLive reported

In an impact statement read to Nottingham Crown Court, she said she suffers from fainting and fatigue when exercising and was unable to finish her final year of university studies because of issues relating to her sight. Miss Totty said: “I always wanted to join the army but this is no longer an option because of the effects of the injury as exercise triggers the symptoms.

“I always played football and from the age of 12 played for Leicester, Aston Villa, West Brom, Loughborough and Sheffield but when I trained I suffered fatigue and dizziness. Football was my passion and not to be able to carry on is heartbreaking for me.”

Ross, of Cinnabar Way, handed herself in following a media appeal in August 2022, six months after the bus attack. She later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Matt Smith, mitigating, said his client had “a wretched upbringing and a childhood which was blighted by abuse” and has two adult children and one much younger one. He added: “She is thoroughly ashamed of the way she behaved and the consequences. There is no sensible explanation for her behaviour on the bus.”

Jailing Ross, of East Leake, for two years, Judge Micahel Auty KC said: “She had two tremendous passions. One was the army and the second was football and she plainly excelled in both.

“I have absolutely no doubt she would have had a terrific career in football and a career she would have been proud of in the army. You have robbed her of that because of your behaviour.

“It is a remarkable demonstration of her integrity and character that she presents as she does in this court this morning. A young woman who is determined to cope with what life has thrown at her and make the best of every opportunity.”

Detective Constable Charlotte Webster, of Nottinghamshire Police, added: “Everyone should be entitled to feel safe when using public transport and do so without fear. However, on this occasion, Ross decided to persistently pick on and then assault a complete stranger on a bus by throwing a glass vodka bottle at her head at close range.

“The impact this unprovoked attack has had on the victim has been profound. Her life has changed because of it.

"As highlighted in this case, we will not tolerate violent or abusive behaviour on our public transport, and we continue to work with our partners to stamp out disorder of this nature and take robust action against offenders like Ross who cause harm to others.”