Stokes ‘lost control’ in street brawl
Cricket star insulted club doorman before launching frenzied attack on his co-defendants, court heard
BEN STOKES, the England cricketer, mocked two “flamboyant” gay men before getting involved in a violent street brawl, and then claiming he was defending them from homophobic abuse, a court heard yesterday.
Stokes, 27, flicked his cigarette at one and made “derogatory” mannerisms shortly before a “sustained episode of significant violence”, which left a fire service worker and an Afghanistan war veteran both unconscious, it is alleged.
Stokes’s mood is said to have darkened after Andrew Cunningham, the doorman, refused to let him back into a bar where he had been drinking with Alex Hales, his England teammate, last September.
Stokes ignored Hales’s pleas to calm down as he launched a barrage of punches at Ryan Ali, 29, and Ryan Hale, 27, Bristol Crown Court heard.
The all-rounder appeared in the dock for his affray trial alongside Mr Ali and Mr Hale yesterday, fresh from a matchwinning bowling performance in the first Test against India. He will miss the second match at Lord’s this week because of his court appearance.
Prosecutors claimed Stokes set the tone for his violent outburst by insulting Mr Cunningham’s tattoos and teeth in a foul-mouthed rant. He became “aggressive” and “obviously upset” after his offer of £300 to get back in to Mbargo Club in Bristol was refused.
Jurors viewed a series of CCTV and smartphone videos, which showed Mr Ali wield a bottle before Stokes moves in with a right-handed punch and then launches a frenzied attack.
Video taken in hospital shows Mr Ali with a bruised and bloodied eye socket. Mr Hale suffered a “laceration to his forehead”, while Stokes had swelling on his right hand, the court heard.
Stokes is later recorded telling police officers that he got involved because the two other defendants “were abusing my friends for being gay”.
In the conversation, recorded on a body camera, the prosecution claim Stokes is mouthing and winking at Hales. Footage shows an apparent confrontation between Mr Ali and Mr Hale and Kai Barry and William O’connor. Stokes and Hales then catch up with them before the fight escalates.
Nicholas Corsellis, prosecuting, said the CCTV, which does not have sound, shows Mr Barry touching Mr Ali around the groin before trying to take his arm. Mr Ali is then shown pushing Mr Barry away but not with “significant force”.
However, Stokes said he intervened, saying “leave it out” and “you shouldn’t be taking the p--- because they’re gay”.
He claimed one of the men responded by saying “shut up or I’ll bottle you”.
However, Mr Corsellis said Stokes “lost complete control and is intent on retribution, revenge and inflicting harm on Hale and Ali”. The footage records shouts of “Stokes stop” at least twice. Mr Corsellis added: “what took place before this … only the defendants know.”
Earlier Mr Barry and Mr O’connor began talking to Stokes, when it is alleged he “made fun of their camp behaviour”. “Mr Cunningham knew them as regular attenders at the club and they were flamboyant, extrovert and openly gay men,” Mr Corsellis said. After Stokes flicked a cigarette at one of the men, Hales allegedly said: “Stokesy, don’t do that.” The trial is expected to last a week. Sport: Pages 12-13
Mr Corsellis said Stokes ‘lost complete control and is intent on retribution, revenge and inflicting harm on Hale and Ali’