• Kai Barry and Billy O’Connell say Stokes came to their aid in Bristol • ‘If Ben hadn’t intervened it could have been a lot worse for us’Ben Stokes was defending two gay men from homophobic abuse when he was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm, it is reported. Officers were called to the Clifton Triangle area of Bristol in the early hours of 25 September to reports of disorder, where Stokes was arrested. It is reported that Stokes and Hales were later walking along the road near the pair after leaving the nightclub when Barry and O’Connell were subjected to homophobic abuse. If Ben hadn’t intervened it could have been a lot worse for us.”Barry added: “I’m not a fighter and we didn’t want a fight. Ben was a real gentleman.”Neil Fairbrother, Stokes’ agent with International Sports Management, has said the star will offer a full explanation of his actions “when the time is right”.

Source: The Guardian October 28, 2017 13:52 UTC