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Ben Stokes trial: Cricketer threw 'multiple punches' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
England cricketer Ben Stokes admitted throwing several punches at a man outside a nightclub in Bristol, a jury has heard. | |
The Durham all-rounder, who denies affray, has taken to the stand for a second day at Bristol Crown Court. | The Durham all-rounder, who denies affray, has taken to the stand for a second day at Bristol Crown Court. |
Mr Stokes, 27, said: "It's clear in my statements that I admit to throwing multiple punches." | Mr Stokes, 27, said: "It's clear in my statements that I admit to throwing multiple punches." |
He is on trial alongside Ryan Ali, 28, who the cricketer is alleged to have knocked out, outside the Mbargo club. | |
Mr Ali has also denied a charge of affray while Ryan Hale, 27, was acquitted of the same charge on Thursday. | |
Mr Stokes told the court he felt "constantly under threat" by Mr Ali and Mr Hale who he claims made homophobic slurs to two gay men, Kai Barry and William O'Connor. | |
But when questioned by the prosecution, he denied knocking out Mr Ali or being very drunk. | |
He agreed he had had at least 10 drinks, including pints of beer, vodka and lemonade as well as "a few" Jagerbombs, which are shots mixed with beer or energy drinks. | |
Under cross-examination by Mr Ali's defence counsel, he was questioned whether he had misheard what was being said. | |
But, he maintained Mr Ali and Mr Hale made homophobic comments outside the club in the Clifton triangle area of Bristol during the early hours of 25 September last year. | |
Mr Stokes told the jury he was not "threatening or aggressive" towards the men. | Mr Stokes told the jury he was not "threatening or aggressive" towards the men. |
"I'd say I was verbally saying 'I don't think you should be saying that to these two guys because they're gay'," he said. | "I'd say I was verbally saying 'I don't think you should be saying that to these two guys because they're gay'," he said. |
As the prosecution began it's cross-examination of the cricketer, the jury was shown CCTV pictures from outside Mbargo, where he was denied entry. | |
'Effeminate nature' | |
Mr Stokes admitted trying to bribe doorman Andrew Cunningham with £60 to get in, but denied it was as much as £300. | |
He also denied being spiteful and aggressive or making derogatory marks about the doorman's tattoos or throwing a cigarette in his direction when he was refused entry. | |
The court heard Mr Cunningham perceived Mr Stokes as "mocking" the gay men's mannerisms" and mimicking "their voices and effeminate nature", which the defendant refuted. | |
Mr Stokes also denied being angry about not being allowed back into the club. | |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |