Ben Stokes ‘lost control’ in fight outside Bristol nightclub

England cricketer Ben Stokes mocked two gay men and insulted a bouncer in the moments leading up to a fight outside a Clifton nightclub, a court has heard.

The all-rounder stands accused of affray and appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Monday for the start of his trial, alongside co-defendants Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, who both face the same charge.

All three have pleaded not guilty. Stokes looks set to miss the second test against India at Lord’s as the trial is likely to continue into early next week.

Prosecutor Nicholas Corsellis said the fracas that took place on the Clifton Triangle could have been “relatively minor” if 27-year-old Stokes, of Castle Eden, Durham, had not lost control and gone on an attack of “revenge or retribution”.

Referring to witness statements and CCTV, Corsellis told the jury at Bristol Crown Court that the fight had not been a “moment of trivial unpleasantness, but a sustained episode of significant violence that left onlookers shocked”.

He said: “In the early hours of the morning on Monday, September 25, a fight took place between the three defendants on the Clifton Triangle. They were all involved in threatening to use violence against each other.

“The violence could actually have stopped very quickly and, if it had, it would have been a relatively minor incident.

“But during the incident, Stokes lost control and started to attack with revenge, retaliation or punishment on his mind. It went well beyond self defence.

“Stokes knocked Hale unconscious and then, after enough time had passed for thought, he did the same to Ali. Ali received significant injuries, including a fractured left eye socket.”

Stokes being pursued by photographers and camera crews outside Bristol Crown Court on the first day of his trial

The court heard how all three defendants had been drinking over the course of the night and had been in Mbargo; Stokes with England teammates, and friends Ali and Hale to celebrate Hale’s recent promotion.

Stokes had not met his co-defendants before, and there was no interaction between them in the club.

Stokes originally left Mbargo at about 12.45am, but returned just after 2am with fellow England cricketer Alex Hales.

Doorman Andrew Cunningham denied the pair entry because the venue was closing, at which point Stokes allegedly tried to offer £60 then £300 to be let back in.

When this was refused, the jury heard how an upset Stokes started to become aggressive, insulting Cunningham, saying: “Look at the state of your teeth, you look like a cunt”.

According to the doorman, the cricketer then went on to speak to two gay men, Kai Barry and William O’Connor, outside the club, mimicking their actions and gestures, before flicking a cigarette butt at one of the pair.

Corsellis referred to CCTV footage that appears to show Stokes “copying hand gestures” made by the men and said the 27-year-old was “clearly frustrated and annoyed”.

Ali, 28 of Forest Road, Bristol, and Hale, 26, of Westbury-On-Trym, were seen leaving Mbargo some four minutes later. They also spoke to O’Connor and Barry, before heading off with them.

The alleged fight took place around the corner from the club. in front of Ryman on Queen’s Road. Witnesses say they were woken by shouts, before seeing a group of about six men “acting like football hooligans”.

Ali and Hale are on trial alongside Stokes, All three deny charges of affray.

The jury was shown footage shot by film student Maximillion Wilson from his home on Queen’s Road.

CCTV footage appears to show Ali raise a bottle as if to hit Alex Hales, and then strike Barry on the shoulder with what Corsellis described as a “glancing blow”.

Stokes got involved, appearing to punch Ali. The pair then grappled on the ground, with Stokes appearing to attempt to land more punches. Further conflict unfolded between Stokes and Hale, who was knocked unconscious by the cricketer.

Footage was played in which jurors could hear someone appearing to say: “Enough, enough Stokes, enough”.

“Stokes may have been acting in self defence up to this stage,” Corsellis told the court. “There is a big difference between using violence to defend someone and then doing it to retaliate and carry out revenge.”

He added that “everyone but Stokes wants it to stop at this point”.

After he was knocked to the ground, CCTV footage shows Hale staggering by the door of Paperchase. Witness Laura Sweeney described the defendant running to pull a metal leg from a nearby sign, before returning with it to the affray.

Off-duty police officer Mark Spure attempted to break up the fight and says he witnessed Stokes punch Ali, causing him to fall to the floor, his face “pouring blood”.

Police arrived at the scene and Stokes was arrested on the spot, saying in a later statement to police that he got involved because he heard Ali and Hale using “nasty, homophobic language” towards Barry and O’Connor.

He denied insulting the pair outside Mbargo, or flicking a cigarette butt at them and claimed the doorman, Cunningham, was rude and had a “chip on his shoulder”. Stokes claims he was acting in defence of himself and others.

Ali denied making homophobic comments. He and Hale both say they exchanged “banter” with the two gay men, before the fight broke out.

The trial continues.

Stokes leaving Bristol Crown Court after the first day of his trial, which is expected to take up to seven days