Ben Stokes denies affray as England cricketer appears in Bristol court from New Zealand
BEN Stokes denied attacking a man in a brawl hours after representing England’s cricket team, Bristol Crown Court heard today.
Cricketer Ben Stokes pleads not guilty to affray
The Durham all-rounder, who missed the Ashes after being suspended from playing for England, is accused of affray with two other men.
Stokes, 26, had been in the team which played the West Indies in Bristol for a one-day international on September 24 last year.
A 27-year-old man suffered a fractured eye socket in the incident in the Clifton Triangle area of Bristol in the early hours of September 25 last year.
Fellow England cricketer Alex Hales was also present.
England cricketer Ben Stokes appeared in court via video link in New Zealand
Stokes previously appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court last month alongside Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26 where all three indicated a plea of not guilty.
In a plea and case management hearing today Stokes officially pleaded not guilty via a video link from New Zealand where he is currently on tour.
He looked casual in a t-shirt as he pleaded from Down Under, where the time was 11pm.
Fellow defendants Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26, appeared in person at the court and also denied the charge.
Ben Stokes during England v New Zealand cricket match
A court sketch at an earlier hearing of Ben Stokes, Ryan Hale and Ryan Ali
The Recorder of Bristol His Honour Judge Blair QC said the trial for Stokes, Ali and Hale will start on August 6 and will last between five and seven days.
The judge told the three defendants: "You must be here without fail.
"Each of you have an obligation to prepare, before May 22, a document called a defence statement, which will cover in detail what you will say as your defence.
"You will remain on bail as before until August 6."
Stokes this weekend helped England win a one day series against New Zealand.