Man who ran onto pitch and punched Jack Grealish found dead after alcohol struggles

Paul Mitchell, who notoriously ran onto the pitch during an Aston Villa derby in 2019, was found dead in his home earlier this year – now an inquest has shed more light on the tragedy

The man who was jailed for attacking Jack Grealish during a Midlands derby was found dead after taking up drink and drugs, an inquest has heard.

Paul Mitchell, 31, was found by his sister at his home in Solihull in March. After a six-week stretch in prison last year Mr Mitchell had been suffering mental health problems, Birmingham Coroner’s Court heard.

It is unconfirmed whether the cause of death was accidental or suicide.

Mr Mitchell spent four weeks in jail and received a football banning order for punching Jack Grealish during a Birmingham City vs Aston Villa match. After his release, he was drinking heavily and had documented mental health struggles, until he was found on his sofa.

Assistant coroner Simon Brenchley provided a narrative conclusion, and named a combination of drug toxicity and alcohol as the cause of death at a

Father-of-three Mr Mitchell is a “funny person” who will be “sorely missed”, and had been caring for his dad at home at the time of his death. The coroner added that Mr Mitchell had a history of poor mental health, suicide attempts, and was suffering financial difficulties while struggling to find employment, Birmingham Live reported.

Mr Mitchell began consuming drugs in October 2022, after he served six weeks in prison for breaching his ten-year football ban. He was “advised to abstain from alcohol” and diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, the court heard. He had been unemployed since November, and “admitted drinking 15 cans of cider a day – although he had cut it down to six”. “He denied having active suicidal thoughts,” added the coroner.