Tuesday 7 August 2018 19:36, UK
CCTV footage shows England cricketer Ben Stokes mimicking the mannerisms of a gay man shortly before he allegedly knocked out two other men in a fight near a nightclub, a court heard.
The claims were made during the morning session of the second day of the England cricketer's trial for affray.
The video showed the scene outside the Mbargo nightclub in Bristol city centre in the early hours of September 25 last year, where 27-year-old Stokes and England team-mate Alex Hales were attempting to gain entry.
Detective Constable Daniel Adams, the officer in the case, took the jury at Bristol Crown Court through the footage from outside the club.
Durham all-rounder Stokes and batsman Hales arrive at the club at 11.31pm in a taxi with other England players after they had played the Windies in a one-day international in Bristol earlier that day.
Stokes and Hales are shown leaving the club at 12.46am before returning and attempting to re-enter the club at 2.08am but are refused by doorman Andrew Cunningham because the club is closing.
The jury watched footage recorded at 2.09am of Stokes apparently flicking a V-sign towards Mr Cunningham.
Detective Constable 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 Hales.
"Presumably the CCTV has been brought to their attention because they are waving," Detective Constable 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 Hales.
Referring to the CCTV, Detective Constable 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 William O'Connor as his back was turned and Mr Stokes flicks something at him.
"Alex Hales is looking away at this point. Alex 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, Mr Ali and Mr Hale each deny a joint charge of affray.
