Stokes mocked men he later claimed to defend
England cricketer Ben Stokes 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’ mood is said to have darkened after a doorman refused him entry back into a bar where he had been drinking with England teammate Alex Hales last September.
Stokes ignored Hales’ pleas to calm down as he launched a barrage of punches at Ryan Ali, 29, and Ryan Hale, 27, Bristol Crown Court heard.
The Durham allrounder appeared in the dock for his affray trial alongside Ali and Hale yesterday.
Prosecutors claimed Stokes set the tone for his violent outburst by insulting the doorman about his tattoos and teeth in a foul-mouthed rant. He became “aggressive and upset” after his offer of £300 to get back in to Mbargo Club in Bristol was refused.
Jurors viewed CCTV and smartphone videos, which showed
Ali wield a bottle before Stokes moves in with a righthanded punch and then launches a frenzied attack. Video taken in hospital shows Ali with a bruised and bloodied eye socket. Hale suffered a “laceration to his forehead”, while Stokes had swelling on his right hand. Stokes later told police officers 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 Ali and Hale and Kai Barry and William O’Connor. Stokes and Hales then catch up with them before the fight escalates.
Prosecutor Nicholas Corsellis said the CCTV shows Barry touching Ali around the groin before trying to take his arm. Ali is shown pushing Barry away but not with “significant force”.
However, Stokes said he intervened, saying “you shouldn’t be taking the piss because they’re gay”. He claimed one of the men said “shut up or I’ll bottle you”.
However, 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.