BSP-20 England cricketer Stokes lost control in street brawl, court told

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England cricketer Stokes lost control in street brawl, court told

BRISTOL, United Kingdom, Aug 6, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – England cricketer Ben
Stokes lost his self-control and knocked two men unconscious in a street
fight last September, a court heard on Monday as his trial for affray began.

Stokes, acting in “revenge, retaliation or punishment”, was involved in a
“sustained episode of significant violence”, prosecutor Nicholas Corsellis
told a jury at Bristol Crown Court in southwest England.

Stokes, 27, who starred on Saturday as England beat India at Edgbaston, is
being tried alongside 27-year-old Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, 28. They each deny
the charge of affray.

They had all been drinking inside a Bristol nightclub. The fight took place
outside after 2:00 am on September 25 last year, the prosecutor said.

They were all involved in threatening and/or using unlawful violence
towards each other, it is alleged.

Corsellis said only the defendants knew how the fracas began and it could
have been stopped very quickly.

“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,” he 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 included a fractured eye socket and
required hospital treatment.”

– ‘Onlookers shocked’ –

Wearing a blue suit and red tie, Stokes sat in the far left of the dock,
Hale in the middle and Ali on the far right.

“This was not a trivial moment of unpleasantness. It was a sustained
episode of significant violence that left onlookers shocked at what was
taking place,” Corsellis said.

“A bottle was used at the beginning by Mr Ali and a broken street sign
brought into the fray towards the end by Mr Hale.”

The prosecutor said the three defendants were all young men of promise.

“Ben Stokes, is a professional cricket player who has reached the top of
his profession and represented his country,” Corsellis said.

“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.”

Stokes missed the Ashes series against Australia after being suspended from
playing for England. Without him, England lost the series 4-0.

He has since played in the Test series against New Zealand and Pakistan. He
starred in England’s first Test victory over India last week.

The trial is expected to last between five and seven days.

The second Test between England and India, at Lord’s in London, starts on
Thursday.

BSS/AFP/ARS/1924 hrs