DCI Banks star Tompkinson broke man’s skull, court told
TV STAR Stephen Tompkinson allegedly battered a father so badly that he was left with a double skull fracture, a court heard.
The actor has been charged with grievous bodily harm and could face up to five years in prison if found guilty.
Tompkinson, 56, who is one of the most familiar faces on television after playing the lead role in hit crime series DCI Banks, appeared before North Tyneside magistrates earlier this month.
Prosecutors claimed that he had ‘unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm’. The alleged offence is so serious that it was sent to Newcastle Crown Court for trial by jury.
The case is scheduled to begin next month.
The court heard that the incident occurred late at night in May last year outside Tompkinson’s house in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear.
Last night the Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement: ‘Stephen Tompkinson appeared before Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday August 10 to face a single charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm.
‘He pleaded not guilty to the charge and will next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday September 7.’
The veteran actor rose to stardom in the early 1990s as a mischievous TV reporter in the cult Channel 4 comedy series Drop The Dead Donkey, for which he won the best actor gong at the British Comedy Awards in 1994.
Two years later, Tompkinson became a household name for his role as Father Peter Clifford in Ballykissangel, as well as for his part in the cinema smash hit Brassed Off, also released in 1996. He then became a regular face on ITV in DCI Banks, which ran from 2010 to 2016.
Tompkinson is due to appear in ITV drama The Long Shadow, about
He could face five years in prison if found guilty
the Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, likely to be broadcast later this year.
The star, originally from Stocktonon-Tees, Teesside, has recently played the role of Frank Bryant on the stage adaptation of the film classic Educating Rita, where he stars opposite his real-life partner, Jess Johnson, 41. The show was launched in 2019, but was paused due to the pandemic.
The twice-divorced actor was previously married to radio producer Celia Anastasia and later publicist Nicci Taylor, with whom he has a daughter.
Last night, Tompkinson could not be reached for comment.