Yahoo Sport 
Ben Stokes trial: England cricketer 'abusive to doorman before mocking two gay men', court told
Ben Stokes was abusive to a doorman before mocking two gay men leaving a nightclub, a court heard.
The incident involving the England cricketer took place outside the Mbargo nightclub in Bristol city centre in the early hours of September 25 last year where 27-year-old Stokes and teammate Alex Hales were attempting to gain entry.
Detective Constable Daniel Adams, the officer in the case, took the jury at Bristol Crown Court through CCTV footage from outside the club.
Durham all-rounder Stokes and batsman Mr Hales arrived at the club at 11.31pm in a taxi with other England players after they had played the West Indies in a one-day international in Bristol earlier that day.
READ MORE: Updates from day two of Ben Stokes trial
Stokes and Mr Hales are shown leaving the club 00.46am before returning and attempting to re-enter the club at 02.08am but are refused by doorman Andrew Cunningham because the club is closing.
The jury watched footage recorded at 02.09am of Stokes apparently flicking a V-sign towards Mr Cunningham.
Mr Adams told the court: “It seems like Ben Stokes making a V-sign towards Mr Cunningham.
“He was still engaging in conversation with Mr Cunningham.”
Stokes is seen on the CCTV lighting a cigarette outside the club and at 2.14am he is still smoking and is in conversation with Mr Cunningham and Mr Hales.
“Presumably the CCTV has been brought to their attention because they are waving,” Mr Adams said.
The CCTV also shows two clubbers, gay men William O’Connor and Kai Barry, leaving Mbargo and the pair engaged in conversation with Stokes and Mr Hales.
Referring to the CCTV, Det Con Adams said: “Mr Stokes appears to mimic the actions of William O’Connor.
“Stokes has just flicked something which we believe was a cigarette butt at William O’Connor.”
He added: “Ben Stokes was mimicking Mr O’Connor as his back was turned and Mr Stokes flicks something at him.
“Alex Hales is looking away at this point.
“Mr Hales appears fed up with something at that point.”
Stokes is on trial accused of punching Ryan Hale, 27, to the ground and then allegedly knocking out Ryan Ali, 28, a short time later during the fracas.
Prosecutors allege that Stokes was not acting in self-defence, but with “revenge, retaliation or punishment in mind”.
Stokes, of Stockton Road, Castle Eden, Durham; Ali, of Forest Road, Bristol; and Hale, of Burghill Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, each deny a joint charge of affray.
The case continues.
Press Association
