Ben Stokes trial latest: England cricketer told police he was defending two gay men from homophobic abuse during brawl, court hears

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England cricket star Ben Stokes told police he was defending two gay men from homophobic abuse when he was caught on camera knocking two men unconscious, a court heard.

One of the men suffered an fractured eye socket in the incident, which happened as Stokes celebrated an England win with teammate Alex Hales in Bristol last September 25.

Bristol crown court has heard Stokes was accused of homophobically abusing two "flamboyant" gay men less than 30 minutes before the brawl, mimicking their voices and movements and throwing a cigarette at one of the men.

However Stokes insisted he had only been "joking" with the two men, and he rushed to their defence later on when he saw them being abused "for being gay".

Stokes is on trial at Bristol crown court for affray, charged alongside the two men, Ryan Hale, 27, and Ryan Aslam Ali, 28, he is accused of attacking.

The cricketer, who performed heroics at the weekend to secure a First Test victory for England against India, told police after the incident he had seen Ali and Hale talking to two gay men in a "harsh and abusive way that was homophobic".

Prosecutor Nicholas Corsellis told the court Stokes claims he told the men "leave it out" and told them: "You shouldn't be taking the p*** because they're gay".

The cricketer also suggested Ali had threatened to "bottle him" with the beer he was brandishing, leading to a violent scuffle on the ground.

Jurors have heard Stokes, Ali, and Hale were likened to "football hooligans" by an eyewitness who filmed as they brawled in the street in the Clifton Triangle area of Bristol.

The men had been out that night at the club Mbargo, where Stokes and his teammates were celebrating a one-day international win.

The cricketers left to go to another club but returned to Mbargo at 2am, only to be told by doorman Andrew Cunningham that it was shutting and they could not come in.

Mr Cunningham said he had turned down an offer of £300 to let them re-enter the club, which was followed by abuse from Stokes.

"Mr Stokes starting to insult him, saying something like 'look at the state of your teeth' - a reference to Mr Cunningham's gold front teeth - and 'they make you look like a c***'", said Mr Corsellis.

"Mr Stokes then made comments about Mr Cunningham's tattoos, telling him he thought they were s***.

"Mr Cunningham described Mr Stoke's tone as being 'aggressive' and 'obviously upset' that he had not been allowed into the nightclub."

Mr Corsellis added that Stokes is then accused of sticking two fingers up at the doorman.

The cricketer then turned his attention to the two gay men, Kai Barry and William O'Connor, who were leaving Mbargo and are known to the doormen as "flamboyant, extrovert, and openly gay young men".

Mr Corsellis said: "Mr Cunningham observed Mr Stokes' 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."

He said Stokes was then seen by Mr Cunningham flicking the butt of the cigarette he was smoking towards the two men.

Mr Cunningham told the cricketer "if you want to start at someone, start on me", it is said.

"Alex Hales asked why Mr Cunningham had become annoyed and when told by him that Stokes had flicked a cigarette at one of the men, he said 'Stokesy - don't do that'", said Mr Corsellis.

Stokes and Hales left the area outside club, but clashed with Ali and Hale a short distance away - much of which was caught on mobile phone footage as Ali holds out a bottle and Stokes throws a punch at him, leading to a tussle on the ground.

Mr Corsellis told the court that after the first bout of violence, the incident could have been over but Stokes appeared intent on revenge on men who "had the temerity to attack him".

"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", he said.

"He knocked Mr Hale unconscious and then, after enough time to pause for thought - to calm - he did exactly the same to Mr Ali."

Stokes' teammate Alex Hales can be heard on the footage saying "Stokes, stop", it is said, while Ali and Hale had their arms stretched out in defence.

"Everyone except him wanted to stop", said Mr Corsellis.

"But by this time, if not before, Stokes has lost complete control and is intent on retribution, revenge, and inflicting harm on Hale and Ali."

In his police interview, Stokes denied homophobic abuse and denied he had offered as much as £300 to get back into the nightclub.

Ali, who works for Avon and Somerset fire brigade, said in interview he had tried to put Stokes in a headlock and can remember nothing else until he woke up in the gutter.

Hale, a former soldier, said he had not wanted trouble that night but had been "smashed to the floor" after telling Stokes to stop attacking his friend.

Stokes, from Castle Eden in Durham, Hale, and Ali, both from Bristol, have all pleaded not guilty to affray.

The trial continues.

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