‘Star Wars fanatic attacked cinema-goer in cash row’
ASTAR Wars “fanatic” left another cinema-goer with a black eye after punching him when he was told to quieten down during the trailers, a court heard.
Jon Hudson, 40, denies assaulting Richard Best at a screening of latest blockbuster Rogue One at Vue Cinema in Cardiff last year and is on trial.
Giving evidence at Cardiff Crown Court from the witness box, Mr Best said: “He hit me full-on square in the face.”
The court heard the incident occurred at the cinema next to the Principality Stadium at around 8.30pm on December 16.
Andrew Kendall, prosecuting, said Mr Best went to the film with a friend, the defendant, and another man he did not know.
He told the jury an argument about a taxi fare and ticket prices broke out during the trailers.
Mr Kendall added: “The defendant started to speak loudly.”
Prosecutors said Hudson started to “demand” money from Mr Best, who told him he had already paid £10.
The complainant told the court he asked Hudson to be quiet and suggested they should sort the money out later.
Mr Kendall said: “This defendant stood up and punched the complainant.”
The court heard Mr Best tried to protect himself and grabbed Hudson’s top.
Prosecutors said Hudson “stumbled” and fell between the cinema seats with Mr Best on top of him.
Mr Kendall added: “The complainant was trying to stop the defendant from hitting him but the defendant carried on trying to punch him.”
The court heard the other man kicked Mr Best, who curled up into a ball and tried to fend off the blows.
Asked what happened next, Mr Best replied: “I was shouting ‘help me’. I was dazed and my nose was pouring blood.”
Mr Best was taken to the staff room, where he was found to have a black eye as well as cuts to his ear, nose and eye.
He said he did not go to hospital as he had “had enough” and wanted to go home.
Hudson was arrested and told police he was acting in self-defence.
David Leathley, defending, suggested Mr Best was “in a rage” and had his hands around the defendant’s throat, which Mr Best denied.
The defence barrister described his client as “a Star Wars fanatic”.
Hudson, 40, of Powis View, Barry, denies assault with intent to rob and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The trial, presided over by Judge Jeremy Jenkins, is before a jury of two men and 10 women and is expected to last for three days.