Breaking: Ben Stokes Charged With Affray For Bristol Brawl

England all-rounder Ben Stokes, on Monday (January 15), was charged with affray for the brawl that happened outside a nightclub in Bristol last year. The 26-year old has been charged alongside two other men and will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on a date which is yet to be decided.

Stokes was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and was in custody overnight before being released while still being under inquiry. Avon and Somerset police completed their investigation into the incident in November and passed a file on to the Crime Prosecution Service for advice on whether he should be charged.

The brawl saw him getting omitted from the Ashes squad as he was also suspended by the England & Wales Cricket Board. The ace allrounder, however, returned to competitive cricket for Canterbury in the domestic one-day and T20 competitions in New Zealand in December for which he was granted a no-objection certificate by the ECB. He was later omitted from England’s ODI squad for the ongoing series in Australia.

And while the all-rounder was once again named in England squad for the upcoming Test series in New Zealand, the chances are now looking bleak to see him return to international cricket anytime soon as prosecutors announced he was one of three men charged with affray over the incident.

“The CPS was passed a file of evidence by Avon & Somerset Police on 29 November in relation to an incident of disorder in Bristol city centre. Further material was subsequently received in late December,” a CPS spokesman said.

“Following a review of all the available evidence, the CPS has today (Mon 15 Jan) authorised the police to charge three men with affray in connection with the incident.

“Ben Stokes, 26, Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26, are all due to appear before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on a date to be fixed in relation to this charge.

“The CPS reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings are now live and the defendants have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice ongoing proceedings,” the spokesman added.

The recent turn of events can also cost Stokes an IPL contract. With nothing clear over what the verdict would be, there is a chance that the franchises might not go for him when the auction takes place on January 27 and 28 in Bengaluru. The Durham allrounder, who had became the costliest overseas player last season, was recently given a NOC by the ECB to play in IPL.