Men thanked me, says accused cricketer
Two gay men thanked England cricketer Ben Stokes for protecting them from two homophobic revellers, the England cricketer told police.
The 27-year-old allrounder is accused of affray in the Clifton Triangle area of Bristol during the early hours of September 25 last year.
Bristol Crown Court heard Stokes was the “main aggressor” in a fight that broke out between him and two other men – Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale – near a nightclub in the city.
Images released yesterday show the injuries sustained by Ali and Hale after allegedly being attacked by Stokes hours after England beat the West Indies in a oneday international in the city.
A jury has been told Stokes mocked two gay men, Kai Barry and William O’Connor, outside the Mbargo nightclub and flicked a cigarette butt at them.
But in a statement provided to police, Stokes denied both actions and insisted he only stepped in after hearing Ali and Hale being homophobic towards Mr Barry and Mr O’Connor.
Stokes said he acted in defence of himself, England team-mate Alex Hales and the two gay men at all times, adding that they thanked him for protecting them.
He told officers: “Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale were taller and broader than Kai and William. I noticed that they both had glass bottles in their hands.
“Despite the difference in their respective sizes and the fact Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale seemed to be in the mood for conflict, the pair on the receiving end of the abuse were verbally combative and sticking up for themselves.
“They weren’t shying away from it but they were obviously offended by the abuse being levelled towards them.
“What Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale were saying was far from harmless banter, it was nasty homophobic abuse.”
Stokes said he intervened and told Ali and Hale: “Leave it out - you shouldn’t be taking the **** because they’re gay”.
He claimed Ali replied: “Shut the **** up and **** off or I’ll bottle you.”
Ali allegedly used the bottle to threaten Mr Hales, before making contact with Mr Barry’s arm.
“I decided at this point matters had become too serious to ignore and that I had to intervene to stop Ryan Ali,” Stokes told police.
The court has heard Stokes knocked Hale unconscious before doing the same to Ali a short time later.
Off-duty police community support officer Mark Spure told Bristol Crown Court that Stokes had been the “main aggressor” in the group.
Stokes told police: “The force I used in defending us was reasonable and entirely justified when the circumstances are viewed objectively.”
Stokes, of Stockton Road, Castle Eden; Ali, of Forest Road, Bristol; and Hale, of Burghill Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, each deny a joint charge of affray.
The trial continues.