Ben Stokes trial: England cricketer mocked gay men before losing control in nightclub fight, jury told
Twenty-seven-year-old all-rounder, on trial at Bristol Crown Court, is accused of punching Ryan Hale, 27, to the ground and then of knocking out Ryan Ali, 28, a short time later
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Your support makes all the difference.England cricketer Ben Stokes mocked a gay man, threw a cigarette butt at his head and then “lost control”, knocking two men unconscious in a fight outside a nightclub in Bristol, a jury heard.
The 27-year-old is accused of punching Ryan Hale, 27, to the ground and then knocking out Ryan Ali, 28, a short time later.
Mr Stokes, Mr Hale and Mr Ali are jointly accused of affray – a charge they all deny – and are on trial at Bristol Crown Court.
Mr Stokes left his victim with a fractured eye socket in the altercation on 25 September last year, the court heard.
Charges relate to a fracas in the Clifton Triangle area of the city shortly after 2am, after the three defendants left the Mbargo nightclub.
Nicholas Corsellis, prosecuting, described Mr Stokes as “provocative and offensive” and in an “angry state of mind” before the alleged fight.
He said the sportsman “lost his control and started to attack with revenge, retaliation or punishment in mind, well beyond acting in self-defence or defence of another”.
Mr Stokes had been in Bristol, staying in a hotel with the England cricket team, and was turned away from a nightclub shortly after 2am.
Mr Stokes offered door supervisor Andrew Cunningham £60, then £300, for entry, and became abusive when this was refused, the court heard.
Two gay men, Kai Barry and William O’Connor, emerged from the nightclub and began talking to Mr Stokes.
Mr Corsellis told the jury: “Mr Cunningham observed Mr Stokes’s behaviour towards them.
“He noted that he was mimicking their voices and mannerisms in what he described as ‘a derogatory way’, thereby making fun of their camp behaviour.
“The CCTV footage, which does not have audio, suggests that sort of behaviour did take place, with Mr Stokes copying hand gestures made by the men.
“Mr Cunningham had cause to be concerned when he saw Mr Stokes take either the unlit butt or the butt of his cigarette and flick it onto Mr O’Connor’s head.
“Mr Cunningham said to Mr Stokes, ‘if you want to start on anyone, start on me’.”
CCTV footage shows Mr Ali and Mr Hale leaving the nightclub at 2.23am and engaging in conversation with Mr Barry and Mr O’Connor.
The group of four men then walked away from the club and towards Queens Road, with Mr Stokes and his teammate, Alex Hales, remaining at Mbargo.
Mr Stokes shook hands with one of the bouncers and tried to shake hands with Mr Cunningham, but this was refused.
Mr Corsellis said this “seemed to enrage Mr Stokes” and he left the nightclub angry after spending 18 minutes trying to get inside.
“Mr Stokes’s behaviour outside the nightclub sets an important tone for what happened that night,” he told the jury of six men and six women.
“He was clearly frustrated and annoyed. He took to acting in a provocative and offensive way towards Mr Cunningham and then Mr Barry and Mr O’Connor.”
CCTV footage shows Mr Stokes and Mr Hales catch up with Mr Ali, Mr Hale, Mr Barry and Mr O’Connor as they stand on Queens Road.
Mr Corsellis said it showed Mr Barry touching Mr Ali inappropriately to his groin area, before returning and trying to take his arm.
“Mr Ali responds by pushing Mr Barry away, albeit with no significant force,” he told the jury.
He told jurors it would be an issue for them to decide whether the interaction between the men had simply been “banter or something more sinister”.
Only the defendants know precisely how the fight started and it could have “stopped very quickly”, he claimed.
“But during the incident Mr Stokes lost his control and started to attack with revenge, retaliation or punishment in mind, well beyond acting in self-defence or defence of another,” Mr Corsellis said.
“He knocked Mr Hale unconscious and then – after time to pause for thought, to calm – he did exactly the same to Mr Ali.
“Mr Ali received significant injuries, including a fractured eye socket, and required hospital treatment.”
Mr Corsellis described the incident as “a sustained episode of significant violence that left onlookers shocked”.
He said Mr Ali used a bottle at the beginning, with Mr Hale bringing a street sign in at the end.
“It is with regret that these defendants are before you, for they are all young men of promise,” he said.
“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.”
Trial 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. None indicated they were.
The trial continues.
Additional reporting by PA