I get that, but he was on charge for affray, whereas now he will probably be on the all encompassing ‘bringing the game into disrepute’ charge.
Personally I hope that they don’t take any further action.
Seems that may be the case. They’ve just announced he will join the squad for the third test at Trent Bridge on Saturday.
Absolutely shameful that he can get off given the video evidence - even VAR works better than the British judicial system.
I guess that’s what fame and expensive lawyers get you.
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I agree. The criminal “justice” system, has never been about justice. It is a system that rewards money and cleverness.
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I dunno, I expect that the CPS have decent lawyers as well, especially for a trial with a celebrity like this. While I am sceptical, I’m willing to give the legal system the benefit of the doubt here - I haven’t seen all the evidence, they have.
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This^
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I stood before the judge that day
As he refused me bail
And I knew that I would spend my time
Awaiting trial in jail
I said there is no justice
As they led me out of the door
And the judge said, “this isn’t a court of justice, son
This is a court of law.”
Billy Bragg
Because of this, I don’t feel the same as I did about Stokes. I found the video shocking and if the ECB sit on their hands over it, I’ll be even more pissed off.
Still, behaving like a moron in city centres on the weekend seems perfectly normal these days…
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He acted like a typical drunken thug - the excuses of self defence or protecting a gay couple are pathetic.
I guess there are hundreds of similar acts of violence every night of the week, and it is now considered acceptable.
Only needs the guy he knocks out to hit his head on a kerb and die and suddenly it’s a different matter - even though the actual act of violence, punching him in the head, is the same.
He wasn’t found not guilty of “fighting”, he was found not guilty of affray.
Not according to the gay couple
https://twitter.com/itvwestcountry/status/1029355376498692097
But he didn’t
Just another CPS pantomime.
Sad that it sends out the message that if you’re famous enough fighting in the streets is ok, whatever your motivation.
Nor was he drunk
So they believed the gay couple but not the doorman?
The gay couple never even gave evidence - wonder how much that cost Stokes.
It seems that Hales kicked and stamped on the guys head once he was knocked out and the defence case was that this may have caused the damage to the eye socket, not Stokes punch - so why wasn’t Hales charged?
As I say, imo even if the law says otherwise, even if Stokes (or anyone else in the same situation) hadn’t connected with any of the aggressive punches he threw he (they) should still be convicted of affray / attempted assault etc.
I wonder how many drunken yobbo’s will now get off similar violent episodes by using this as a test case?
Stokes is in the squad for the next test, so that would seem to be an end to the matter.
No. The ECB will still hold a disciplinary hearing for Stokes and Hales.
DRS decision passing the buck to the court?
DRS=Drunks Rucking in Street?
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Would you care to explain your post please?
I haven’t got a clue.
Armchair court specialists are as prolific as couch potato football managers.
You can’t be a jury member unless you were there for the lot of it, and the paper coverage doesn’t count.
They went for affray as no one wanted to make a complaint. It’s an offence against the Crown. It’s a very serious offence and it’s usually violence with some form of aggravation (weapon).
Not sure why the late charge requests but it hardly allows a fair trial when you try and stick one on the defence on the day of court. Not surprising the judge told them to bollocks.
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