George Best’s brother accused of assault
THE brother of late soccer legend George Best punched a female neighbour and held her by the throat, a court has been told.
Ian Best, 51, is accused of launching his violent assault on the woman and her partner as they returned from a supermarket.
Mr Best and neighbours Shaun Berry and partner Victoria Barker had argued about damage to a resident’s car, a court heard.
Days later violence broke out when the couple arrived home from Asda and Mr Best began hurling abuse at them, it is alleged.
Mr Best and his stepson James Palmer, 24, are accused of then attacking the couple. Mr Palmer held Mr Berry to the ground and Mr Best punched Ms Barker in the face, pushing her against a wall and holding her by the throat, the court was told.
Mr Best and his stepson both deny a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and another of inflicting GBH, against Shaun Berry on March 1 last year.
Mr Best also denies a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Ms Barker, on the street in Torquay, Devon, southern England, on the same date.
Prosecutor Peter Coombe said Mr Best told police the alleged victims were ‘obsessed with him because he was George Best’s brother’.
Mr Coombe said that on March 1, at around 10pm, Mr Berry and Ms Barker had come back from Asda when Mr Best allegedly began hurling abuse. He said: ‘They [Mr Best and Mr Palmer] started shouting and swearing at them. Best tried to grab Berry, tried to punch him. And then Palmer grabbed him in a choke-hold. He ended up on the ground, and was kicked and punched.’
When neighbours pulled Mr Best off Ms Barker, he walked past Mr Berry, then jumped on his leg using both feet, leaving him with a displaced fractured ankle, the court was told. The trial continues and is expected to run until Thursday.