‘Gay man mocked by Stokes before punch-up’
ENGLAND CRICKETER Ben Stokes mocked a gay man and threw a cigarette butt at his head before knocking two men unconscious in an fight, a jury heard.
The 27-year-old all-rounder is accused of punching Ryan Hale, 27, to the ground and then allegedly knocking out Ryan Ali, 28, a short time later. Stokes, Hale and Ali are jointly accused of affray – a charge they all deny – and are on trial at Bristol Crown Court.
Charges relate to an alleged fight in the city early on September 25, after the defendants left the Mbargo nightclub. Nicholas Corsellis, prosecuting, said Stokes was “provocative and offensive” before the alleged brawl.
Stokes had been in Bristol staying with the England team and was in the Mbargo nightclub on September 24. He left the club with teammate Alex Hales at 12.46am, with the pair returning at 2.08am when they were refused re-admission by door staff.
Two gay men, Kai Barry and William O’Connor, emerged from the venue and began talking to Stokes and Mr Hales. Stokes is alleged to have mocked them before flicking the cigarette butt at Mr O’Connor’s head. The court was told that Ali and Hale then left the club and walked off with Mr Barry and Mr O’Connor, before Stokes followed them and the violent exchange erupted.
Stokes, of Stockton Road, Castle Eden, Durham, Ali, of Forest Road, Bristol, and Hale, of Burghill Road, Westbury-onTrym, Bristol, are on bail.
ENGLAND CRICKET all-rounder Ben Stokes “lost control” and knocked two men unconscious in an alleged fight outside a nightclub in Bristol after a drinking session, a court has heard.
The 27-year-old cricketer is accused of punching Ryan Hale, 27, to the ground and then “after a time to pause for thought” he allegedly knocked out Ryan Ali, 28.
Stokes, Hale and Ali are jointly accused of affray – a charge they all deny – and are on trial at Bristol Crown Court.
Prosecutor Nicholas Corsellis said an altercation took place in the Clifton Triangle area of the city on September 25 last year shortly after 2am after the three defendants had all left the Mbargo nightclub having all been drinking.
He told the jury of six men and six women that Stokes “lost control” and attacked both Hale and Ali, knocking both of them unconscious. The court heard that Ali received “significant injuries”, including a fractured eye socket, and required hospital treatment.
Mr Corsellis added: “This was not a trivial moment of unpleasantness. It was a sustained episode of significant violence that left onlookers shocked at what was taking place.
“The defendant, Ben Stokes, is a professional cricket player who has reached the top of his profession and represented his country. Equally, Mr Ali has worked for the emergency services and Mr Hale has served his country in the Armed Forces.
“It almost goes without saying, but past success, fame or good deeds does not absolve you from your duty – and the law – to behave yourself.
“The law and court favour no person and all are to be judged equally.”
Wearing a blue suit and red tie, Stokes was driven to the city’s Crown Court yesterday in a silver people carrier and walked straight into the building flanked by the media.
Trial judge Judge Peter Blair QC, the Recorder of Bristol, had asked 16 potential jurors whether they were “extremely committed” cricket fans following either the England or India teams.
The potential panel were also asked whether they knew any of the three defendants and a number of other people who could be called to give evidence in the trial. This includes Stokes’s teammate Alex Hales, William O’Connor and Kai Barry, nightclub doorman Andrew Cunningham, Clifton Triangle residents Maximilian Wilson, Lauren Sweeney and Jess Thomas, and police officers.
Stokes missed the Ashes after being suspended from playing for England. Without him, England lost the series against Australia 4-0. He has since played in the Test series against New Zealand, Pakistan and last week starred as England beat India at Edgbaston.
Stokes, of Stockton Road, Castle Eden, Durham, Ali, of Forest Road, Bristol, and Hale, of Burghill Road, Westbury-onTrym, Bristol, are on bail.
The trial continues.
It was a sustained episode of violence that left onlookers shocked. Prosecutor Nicholas Corsellis