This particular court case was very pointless. Two drunk idiots fighting each other in the street. Both were up for the fight, neither were hurt other than their egos. On the spot fine and caution for both would have saved a whole load of nonsense and money. It was fairly obvious from the outset that the ECB weren't going to let Stokes get into any serious strife. Can anyone explain the two gay lads not appearing in court? Rumour is they were paid to keep out of court to give evidence
I would like to see how much this case cost the CPS and whether the money could have been better used redirected towards stopping more serious crime. But of course when its not your money you are throwing around and you have a glimmer of convicting an England international you would go for it. Would look good on the CV that
I think this is a particularly cynical view, and clearly there was injury as Hale suffered a fractured eye socket which in itself would amount to a charge of ABH. Ultimately the charge of affray is a section 3 public order offence which carries a maximum sentence of 3 years, that to me is a pretty serious offence. However, it is furthered by the fact stokes has previous convictions, and there were weapons involved. If it was a child of yours being beaten up in a ‘drunken fight’ I think you would probably want justice. Also, affray is too serious an offence for it to be dealt with disposal methods other than court. Also the main, and often undisclosed reason that stokes entered a not guilty plea was because of the previous convictions that he had, and a friend of mine (a barrister) said that on the balance of probability he would have gone down if he entered a guilty plea. This in turn clearly shows that a trial was necessary, you can’t somplynlet someone go cause the said’ sorry your honour but I didn’t do it’.
In answer to why the two gay chaps weren’t called as witnesses: they have gone on record saying they were scared. That is why the defence did not call them. However they have also gone on record saying stokes was sticking up for them, that is why the prosecution did not call them.
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Topic: Ben Stokes Trial (Read 21565 times)