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Ben Stokes found not guilty of affray
England cricketer Ben Stokes has been found not guilty of affray by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.
Ryan Ali, who was knocked unconscious in the brawl on the Clifton Triangle, was also found not guilty of the same charge.
The fight happened in the early hours of Monday, September 25 2017, after England had played a one-day international against the West Indies in Bristol.
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Stokes and Ali shook hands when they left the dock.
After a six-day trial, the jury returned their verdicts on Tuesday morning after deliberating for two-and-a-half hours.
Following the verdict, an Avon and Somerset police spokesman said: “We carried out a thorough independent investigation into the events of September 25, before passing a comprehensive file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which subsequently made the decision to charge.
“Having reviewed the evidence, the jury has concluded the actions of the defendants did not amount to affray and we respect this decision.”
It is understood that Stokes and Alex Hales will both face a disciplinary investigation by the England & Wales Cricket Board for bringing the game into disrepute.
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