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Ben Stokes charged following Bristol brawl
England cricketer Ben Stokes has been charged following the brawl outside a Clifton nightclub that made him miss the Ashes tour to Australia.
Stokes, 26, of Durham, has been charged with one count of affray alongside Ryan Ali, 28 and Ryan Hale, 26, both of Bristol.
They will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court at a date to be confirmed.
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The incident happened in the early hours of September 25 on Queen’s Road close to Mbargo, after England beat the West Indies in a one-day international at Bristol’s County Ground.
A few weeks later, Stokes returned to the Bristol area to get married at DoubleTree by Hilton Cadbury House hotel between Yatton and Congresbury.
Despite Stokes missing the Ashes, with the England and Wales Cricket Board saying he would not be considered for England “until further notice”, he played six domestic matches in New Zealand in December has been given permission to take part in the lucrative Indian Premier League.
Stokes has also been named in the England Test squad to tour New Zealand in March, but any potential involvement remains subject to the latest legal developments in Bristol.
The all-rounder has vowed to clear his name. In a statement released on his Twitter account, he said: “I want to thank all those who have continued to support me in relation to the Bristol incident, not least my family, friends, fans and team‑mates. I gave a full and detailed account of my actions to the police on the day – and have cooperated at each step of the police inquiry.
“I am keen to have an opportunity to clear my name but, on advice, the appropriate time to do this is when the case comes to trial. The CPS decision to charge me, as well as Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, at least means that my account of what happened that night can come out in court and be made public. Until then, my focus is very much on cricket.”
Main photo courtesy of Red Bull
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