off course i've seen it ..... but to add some context to it

Bristol crown court heard the incident described as “a sustained episode of significant violence” from Stokes, who had “lost control”. But Stokes’ defence remained unchanged throughout. He told the jury he had “stepped in” to defend two gay men who were being verbally abused, but then had to defend himself from Ali, 28, and Hale, 27, who were threatening violence. Ali was wielding a beer bottle held upside down by its stem, he said.

Kai Barry and William O’Connor
Gay couple say Ben Stokes did not deserve to face trial
Read more
William O’Connor and Kai Barry, a gay couple from Bristol, who Stokes described as “camp”, did not give evidence to the trial but on Tuesday spoke in defence of the Durham cricketer.

Barry said that the incident had begun because “someone came across the road and tried to hit me with a bottle”.

O’Connor told ITV news: “Stokes could see the people doing what they were doing, and how homophobic they were and how nasty they came across.”

Barry added: “I thought he was just a normal lad, you know, sticking up for someone who was weaker than he was, which was quite nice. When I realised who he was, I thought fair play, because he’s obviously put his career at risk for someone that he never knew.”

O’Connor added: “We are really thankful for what he has done because Kai could have been left with a scar.”

Posted By: ghostof barry butler on June 27th 2023 at 13:17:03

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