Stokes ‘behaved like a bully’ towards gay men
CRICKETER Ben Stokes was branded a “bully” yesterday for allegedly ridiculing two gay men outside a nightclub.
Stokes, 27, taunted the couple by mimicking high-pitched, effeminate voices and “camp hand gestures,” a court heard.
England star Stokes mocked the pair after a “spiteful and angry” clash with a club doorman who refused to let him in.
Shortly afterwards, he knocked out two men in a street brawl witnessed by the two gay men, jurors were told.
The all-rounder allegedly tried to imitate the mannerisms of William O’Connor and Kai Barry as they waited by the entrance to Mbargo night spot in Bristol.
He even flicked an unlit cigarette butt at Mr O’Connor’s head in a bid to “provoke them”, it was alleged.
Door supervisor Andrew Cunningham, 37, told the jury: “I don’t like bullies. I was watching bullying.”
Stokes and several other England players had gone to Mbargo to celebrate a one-day international win over the West Indies last September. The group later left but Stokes returned just after 2am with team mate Alex Hales. Mr Cunningham refused to allow them back inside as it was past closing time, Bristol Crown Court heard. Mr O’Connor and Mr Barry walked off with two clubgoers, Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale. A few minutes later, Stokes knocked out Mr Ali, 28 and Mr Hale, 27. One suffered a fractured eye socket and the other was unconscious.
Stokes, of Durham, Ali and Hale, both of Bristol, deny affray.
Jurors also viewed a video of the fight taken by student Max Wilson from his bedroom window who thought he was watching “football hooligans”.
The trial continues.