Stokes thanks family, team and friends after acquittal
Cricket star is cleared of affray in street brawl
ENGLAND CRICKETER Ben Stokes has thanked his family, friends and teammates for their “unerring” support during “an 11-month ordeal” which ended with him being acquitted over his involvement in a street brawl.
A jury at Bristol Crown Court took two hours yesterday to clear Mr Stokes of affray, and as the verdict was returned he closed his eyes with relief and then looked up while his wife Clare cried. Before leaving court, he shook the hand of co-accused Ryan Ali, who had also been acquitted.
After the hearing, Mr Stokes, 27, paid tribute to the support from his wife as well as relatives, friends and fellow members of the England cricket team.
His solicitor, Paul Lunt, said: “In addition to the extreme stress placed on Ben and his family by the trial, his intervention that night has already cost Ben the England vice-captaincy, his place on an Ashes tour and his place on a number of other England matches.
“The past 11 months have served to highlight to Ben just how highly he values his position as an England representative, both in terms of the privilege that role entails and the responsibilities that accompany it.
“Now the trial is over, Ben is keen to get back to cricket being his sole focus.”
Tony Miles, the solicitor for Mr Ali, and Ryan Hale, who was acquitted last week of affray, said: “They just want to get on with their lives.”
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is facing criticism as on the eve of the trial a judge rejected its attempt to charge Mr Stokes with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Barristers representing Mr Stokes’s co-defendants also questioned why his teammate Alex Hales had not been prosecuted as video footage shows him kicking and stamping on Mr Ali.
Mr Stokes accepted he had punched unconscious best friends Mr Hale, 27, and Mr Ali, 28, early on September 25 in Bristol. He insisted he acted in selfdefence, or in the defence of others, when two gay men, William O’Connor and Kai Barry, suffered homophobic abuse.
The all-rounder had had “at least 10 drinks” as he celebrated with teammates England’s oneday win against the West Indies in Bristol.
Much of the ensuing incident was captured on CCTV cameras in the Clifton Triangle – a popular nightspot. Mr Stokes and Mr Hales had left the Mbargo nightclub having been refused entry and were looking for a casino when the violence erupted at 2.30am in Queen’s Road.
Both Mr Stokes and Mr Ali claimed they were acting in selfdefence. The cricketer maintained he heard Mr Ali and his friend direct homophobic abuse at Mr O’Connor and Mr Barry, who were not called as witnesses.
After the case, Avon and Somerset Police stressed a “thorough investigation” had been carried out, before a “comprehensive” file was passed to the CPS.
A police spokesman added: “Having reviewed the evidence, the jury has concluded the actions of the defendants did not amount to affray and we respect this decision.”
Ben is keen to get back to cricket being his sole focus. Paul Lunt, solicitor for Ben Stokes.