A recording of a 999 call made by a woman who witnessed an alleged fight involving England cricketer Ben Stokes has been released.
Stokes, 27, is accused of knocking out Ryan Hale, 27, and Ryan Ali, 28, in the Clifton triangle area of Bristol on September 25 last year.
Lauren Sweeney, who was living in the Queens Road area, told Bristol Crown Court she dialled 999 after seeing Hale on the ground.
She said Hale got up and ran towards a road sign, pushed it over and snapped off one of the metal legs before running back towards the group of men.
I didnt think it was self defence because they left him alone. When he ran towards them it was more than self defence as it was an aggressive run towards them, she told the jury.
Advertisement
Advertisement
In the call played to the jury she tells the operator: There is a massive group of boys having a fight outside.
There looked about six. It was alright, and then one boy broke off a road sign, and kind of ran towards another one with it.
One was in the road, I dont know if hes hurt. I dont think he is, just very drunk, but when one broke off the road sign it was pretty sharp.
It looks as if they are walking away now.
She adds: I can still hear them shouting. Theyve moved down, I think a little further down the road. I dont think its ending but I keep hearing someone shouting “stop”.
The court heard Stokes became enraged after he attempted to bribe doorman Andrew Cunningham, 37, with £300 to gain entry into nightclub Mbargo with team-mate Alex Hales.
He is said to have been abusive to Mr Cunningham before mocking two gay men who were leaving the nightclub.
Mr Cunningham, who has four gold front teeth and is heavily tattooed, told the jury: He (Stokes) mentioned my gold teeth and he said I looked like a c*** and I replied, “Thank you very much”.
He mentioned my tattoos and how s*** they were. He just looked at me and told me my tattoos were s*** and to look at my job, which he obviously wasnt happy about for keeping him out.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Two gay men, William OConnor and Kai Barry, then emerged from the nightclub and began talking to each other outside in an extravagant” and flamboyant manner.
The ginger guy picked up on this and started to take the mick out of them, he told the jury.
He told the jury of six men and six women that he intervened when he saw Stokes flick a cigarette butt at Mr OConnor and Mr Barry.
CCTV images show Stokes and Mr Hales catching up with Ali, Hale, Mr Barry and Mr OConnor on a nearby street after they had all left the nightclub.
Stokes claims he was defending Mr Barry and Mr OConnor after hearing Ali and Hale abuse them in a homophobic manner.
Stokes, of Stockton Road, Castle Eden, Durham; Ali, of Forest Road, Bristol; and Hale, of Burghill Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, each deny a joint charge of affray.
The trial continues.
Advertisement
Advertisement
[contf]
[contfnew]
METRO
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]