Both right. Murderous intent is to kill or cause really serious harm. Where someone gets punched to the ground and bangs head and thereby suffers fatal (usually brain damage) injury it will almost invariably charged as manslaughter, the attacker intending some but not really serious harm. These kind of cases are often termed ‘one punch manslaughter’ and have a sentence tariff of around 5-8 years with new guidelines coming into force in November. Stokes is nowhere near that territory. Affray carries a max of 3 years but even if convicted I would imagine, given his good character and the circumstances of the offence, a community penalty or suspended imprisonment at worse. Looking at the evidence it would appear that, if initially acting in self defence/defence of others, Stokes then went too far and used unlawful violence, ie not self defence/defence of others. I still fancy his chances, given his celebrity and with good counsel, who will argue that in the heat of the moment he did what he thought necessary and reasonable. I’ve just spent a few weeks prosecuting a 2 handed murder involving weapons, kicking/stamping to the head, both defendants getting life with minimum terms around 20 years, so it’s important to keep this fracas in perspective. Evidentially then, should be Guilty, but would not be at all surprised if he walked.
Thanks for this the guy who I knew that got killed's trial looks likely to end at Leeds CC tomorrow... will be interesting to see what happens with that.
I’m guessing that’s because you are a bit older than some of the guys on here that clearly have been brought up in cotton wool. Watch Kes and the parts when he’s at school - and yer can see how it was. This thread reminds me of a conversation I had with some of mi owd girl mates from darn Spike Island at Thurnscoe - they said they were that poor they didn’t have proper dolls so they used to dress up hatchets their dads used to have for chopping up sticks for the fire. They said they loved those made up dolls - except when they used to fall out with each other and hit each other with their dolls.
I hit a girl with a spade once. She was doing my head in. I was 3 years old. Her mum never brought her round again!
He aimed a lit cig at someone. He stereotyped gay people by being caught mimicking them. He verbally abused a bouncer which made a job that's already hard enough, even harder. If he's found not guilty I still don't know how he can play for England ever again. Durham for sure. Slog cricket around the world yes. Wearing the England badge, can't see it. If he's guilty and gets a punishment, that will make his return even more difficult. He won't go to prison though because famous people tend to get off lighter, as they can afford better lawyers.
For years I've been wondering whether what you post is for real or it's just all a convincing spoof. I'm laying my cards on the table now - your account is just one big and rather odd joke, and I claim my five pounds.
This may all be true, but you're making the mistake of assuming the prosecution witnesses must be telling the truth. Let's see what is said now the defence are having their turn.
Hope that one goes the right way and justice is done. Practised in Leeds for 15 years before heading to the NE in 2013. The QC representing Stokes, Gordon Cole, was up doing a case in Boro just recently.
You need to get to Bristol and tell the local police, cps, courts and the various legal teams that they’ve got it wrong and that they need to charge stokes with gbh or even attempted murder. Because you’ve seen a video on the internet and know best.
only charged with affray, so even if found guilty he’s not going to jail. Looks like good old fashioned assault to me. Lucky boy.
I'm 58. I've travelled to many places home and abroad, worked in a wide variety of jobs including the NCB. I've encountered a fair few people I'd like to punch at times. I never have. It's called self restraint. Most people have it. It's nothing to do with age or a sheltered life. One of the reasons we all pay higher prices for match tickets is because there are no terraces anymore due to the lack of self restraint of idiot football hooligans.
I get the impression you have made up your mind without hearing all of the evidence , its a good job you are not on the jury & if he is found not guilty then he should be able to play for England , if he is found not guilty then thats exactly what he is & should be able to ply his trade at any level , should he be found guilty then once he has paid his penalty then he should be able to resume his employment with whoever wants to employ him .
I saw the video of him 'mimicking' the couple (he did something, hard to tell if it was meant) and then flicking the cig at them which he denies (pretty obviously he did despite denying it). After that Hales tries to get his attention by turning Stokes head toward him, but he just looks the other way - probably worse for wear after 3 pints and 6 vodkas. Whatever the verdict he needs a lesson in behaving properly. Hope he gets a ban. Casual observation suggests he's the type that has a few beers gets lairy and will have a go if someone looks at him the wrong way. Sadly this numpty plays cricket for England. ECB should make a point.