Ben Stokes charged with affray

[GT49er]

I'm finding it bizarre that the two gay guys, who were at the scene and who Stokes claims to have been just having 'banter' with and later ended up defending, have not given testimony in this case. Can't get me 'ead round that. Were I on that jury, I'd be asking why.

I was thinking the same thing. Surely they are the only ones who could confirm or refute this claim? We know who they are...I've read their names.

Agreed. I was waiting all along for them to be called by either the defence or prosecution. Very, very odd.

Yes, me too. They must have given statements on the night too - did they get mentioned as evidence at all? All very strange.

 

[Triggaaar]

Most are not forming an opinion yet.

I'm sure plenty of people have formed some sort of opinion on it.

 

[Brian Fantana]

Most are not forming an opinion yet.

Disagree.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Speak for yourself. I’ve based mine on him being ginger and a northerner.

1. Oi!
2. Fair enough.

 

[Brovion]

I'm finding it bizarre that the two gay guys, who were at the scene and who Stokes claims to have been just having 'banter' with and later ended up defending, have not given testimony in this case. Can't get me 'ead round that. Were I on that jury, I'd be asking why.

Eh? Is that true? I haven't really been following the case that closely but I'd have though (obviously wrongly) that their evidence would have been, if not crucial then at least relevant. Also has Hales given evidence?.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

I'm sure plenty of people have formed some sort of opinion on it.

Disagree.

OK, what I meant was 'most people I know'.

ie. Not 'Everybody else' that BG claimed.

 

[happypig]

Not Guilty !

 

[KZNSeagull]

Found not guilty

 

[studio150]

Not Guilty Ryan Ali also not guilty

 

[GT49er]

I find it odd that both defendants were cleared - there obviously was a pretty nasty fight going on, and presumably somebody must have started it! Pure speculation, but I wonder if the jury were also puzzled by the fact that two of the obvious witnesses were not called to give evidence and decided 'there's something we're not being told here'. Just me, personally, wondering - that's all, nothing more.

 

[Marshy]

lucky man

It was pretty brutal....but then again I bet you get punch ups like that every week in every town centre and how many do time for it... ?

 

[Superseagull]

The only thing I can think of was that any statements made on the night to the plod differed widely to what was then said in the papers. Add to this, they were I assume pissed, and I guess both defence and prosecution feared any evidence they gave would be torn to shreds and of no benifit to either side. Does seem a bit odd though as the whole thing seemed to revolve around them.

 

[crodonilson]

Not guilty, and he was as short as 1/5 on the exchanges to be found guilty!

 

[Dave the OAP]

Speak for yourself. I’ve based mine on him being ginger and a northerner.

Oi, he is a kiwi!

 

[Eeyore]

I find it odd that both defendants were cleared - there obviously was a pretty nasty fight going on, and presumably somebody must have started it! Pure speculation, but I wonder if the jury were also puzzled by the fact that two of the obvious witnesses were not called to give evidence and decided 'there's something we're not being told here'. Just me, personally, wondering - that's all, nothing more.

I'm guessing that both would be cleared on the basis that the 'self defence' argument cannot be proved either way. If it cannot be proved either way then I guess the affray charge falls down too.

 

[Beach Hut]

Available Saturday then

 

[Justice]

Still a knob

 

[BensGrandad]

Why? There will be no more evidence given or reported so everybody must have an opinion on how the verdict will go. With limited knowledge my view is Not Guilty for both men as their respective defence have shown there to be doubt on the evidence against both.

Verdict as I expected

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Still a knob

Quite.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

1. Oi!
2. Fair enough.