England cricketer Ben Stokes has been charged with affray following a fight outside a nightclub in Bristol.
The Durham all-rounder, 26, was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm after an incident near a Bristol nightclub on 26 September.
Prosecutors today announced he was one of three men charged with affray over the incident.
England cricketer Ben Stokes has been charged with affray following a fight in Bristol
A CPS spokesman said: ‘Following a review of all the available evidence, the CPS has today 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.’
Stokes and his teammates were out celebrating England’s win against the West Indies on the night of the alleged violence.
He was pictured wearing a bandage on his right hand following the alleged brawl.
Police say no action has been taken against a 27-year-old man who previously voluntarily attended a police station for interview.
Avon & Somerset Police said: ‘Three men have today been charged in connection with an incident of disorder on Queens Road, Bristol on 25 September last year.
‘A thorough investigation was carried out into the incident by Avon and Somerset Police before a comprehensive file of evidence was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service on 29 November.’
Stokes’s arrest came after the players had gone out to celebrate a win over the West Indies
The charge of affray is made under the Public Order Act 1986 and effectively relates to fighting in public.
It is an triable either-way offence which means it can be heard in either the magistrates’ court or the crown court.
It carries a maximum penalty when tried summarily – in the magistrates court – of a fine or up to six months in prison and when tried on indictment – in the crown court – of up to three years in prison.
Stokes’s arrest came before a testing time for the cricketer. Days after the alleged brawl, a video emerged of him doing impressions of celebrity Katie Price and her disabled son Harvey.
Following outrage over the offensive video, Stokes apologised, saying he did not intend to mock the youngster, but admitted that his actions were ‘foolish’.
Despite being initially named in England’s squad for the Ashes, Ben Stokes was eventually declared unavailable for selection ‘until further notice’ by the ECB.
Pictures of Stokes at Heathrow airport after the 10-wicket defeat in the first Test in Brisbane sent social media into a frenzy.
Stokes was arrested following a fight outside this nightclub in Bristol in September
The Durham all-rounder was indeed heading out of the country, but to visit family in New Zealand instead of joining up with his England team-mates.
While in New Zealand he managed to get some cricket under his belt, playing three one-day and three T20 games for Canterbury – the highlight being a 47-ball 93.
After being named in the squad for the current ODI series in Australia last month, he was withdrawn as the CPS continued their investigations.
Last week Stokes was selected for England’s two-Test series in New Zealand in March.
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