London: England cricketer Ben Stokes has been charged with affray following an incident in the city of Bristol last September, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said on Monday.
Stokes, 26, and two other men are due to appear before Bristol Magistrates’ Court at a date to be fixed.
The Durham all-rounder has not played for England since the incident outside a nightclub, missing out on the Ashes tour to Australia. He did play in six domestic matches in New Zealand in December.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has also given Stokes permission to play in the Indian Premier League, which starts in April.
The CPS said Avon and Somerset police had passed on a file of evidence on November 29 in relation to the incident, which left a 27-year-old man with a fractured eye socket, and further material was received in late December. The other two men charged were named as Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26.
Confirming the criminal charge, a spokesperson for England’s Crown Prosecution Service said: “The CPS was passed a file of evidence by Avon and Somerset Police on 29 November in relation to an incident of disorder in Bristol city centre.
“Further material was subsequently received in late December. 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.
Stokes was named last week in England’s Twenty20 squad for a Tri-series against Australia and New Zealand next month but his participation was dependent on whether he was charged.
The ECB says it will convene within 48 hours to decide on Stokes’ availability to represent England, according to BBC reports.
‘Affray’ is a triable either-way charge, which means the case can ultimately 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.
