Cricketer Ben Stokes Mocked Two Gay Men Before Violent Attack Outside Nightclub
English cricketer Ben Stokes mocked two gay men outside a nightclub, throwing a cigarette butt at them, before becoming involved in a fight with two other men, Huffington Post reports.
The 27-year-old cricketer then punched Ryan Hale, 27, and Ryan Ali, 28, leaving both men unconscious.
Stokes had left the nightclub and tried to return inside at 2am when the doorman, Andrew Cunningham, told him the club was closed. The jury heard that Stokes became “aggressive” when the doorman turned down his offer of £300 to be let back in.
Stokes then turned to two gay men, Kai Barry and William O’Connor, who were outside the club.
Nicholas Corsellis, prosecuting, told the jury: “…he was mimicking their voices and mannerisms in what he described as ‘a derogatory way,’ thereby making fun of their camp behaviour.
“The CCTV footage, which does not have audio, suggests that sort of behaviour did take place, with Mr Stokes copying hand gestures made by the men…
“Past success, fame or good deeds does not absolve you from your duty – and the law – to behave yourself.
“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.
“A bottle was used at the beginning and a broken street sign brought into the fray towards the end.”
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