Ian Ball (accountant)

Ian Ball (accountant) is a British accountant best known for his involvement in the attempted kidnapping of Princess Anne in 1974. Ball was one of the men who ambushed the Princess's car on The Mall in London. During the incident, he fired shots, injuring several people, including the Princess's bodyguard, police officer, and driver. He was eventually apprehended at the scene and subsequently diagnosed with a mental illness.

Ball pleaded guilty to charges related to the attempted kidnapping and was sentenced to life imprisonment in Broadmoor Hospital, a secure psychiatric facility. He was detained there for many years. He reportedly died in Broadmoor Hospital in 1998.

The attempted kidnapping of Princess Anne drew significant media attention and raised concerns about royal security. Ian Ball's motivations were reportedly linked to a desire to obtain a ransom, which he planned to donate to the National Health Service. The details surrounding the event and Ball's mental state remain a subject of public interest. While his profession was accounting, he is primarily remembered for his criminal act.