Ben Stokes trial: All-rounder labelled ‘main aggressor’ by one witness

The third day of Ben Stokes’ trial has seen one witness accuse the England international of being the ‘main aggressor’ in a street brawl outside a Bristol nightclub last September.

The jury heard a statement from community support police officer Andrew Spure claim he saw ‘three to five’ people involved in a ‘scuffle’.

Prosecutor Nicholas Corsellis alleged on Monday when the trial began that Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 27 had been knocked unconscious following a fracas outside Mbargo nightclub.

Witness Mr Spure, who was off-duty when he witnessed a fight, added further in his statement that he tried to separate Stokes and Ali.

“The individual seemed to be the main aggressor or was progressing forward trying to get to another individual,” Mr Spure told the court.

“In my statement I describe him as a gentleman with ginger or light brown hair. He had a green t-shirt on.”

Spure added Ali ‘seemed to be trying to back away or get away from the situation’ before he was struck.

When police arrived on the scene, Mr Spure identified Stokes to officers who then arrested the Durham man.

Yesterday, cross-examination by by prosecution and Stokes’ barrister of two witnesses led to allegations that Ali has a bottle in his possession at one point during the incident, while it was claimed Hale had broken off a metal pole from a road sign before returning to the brawl.

Stokes, Ali and Hale all deny a charge of affray.

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