Diver Tom Daley’s husband Dustin Lance Black was “punched in the head” after he allegedly grabbed a lady’s wrist in a London nightclub, a court docket has heard.
Mr Black, an Oscar winner who married the Olympic champion diver in 2017, is charged with assaulting BBC Three presenter Teddy Edwardes in Soho on 18 August final 12 months.
The American filmmaker, 49, was on account of stand trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Tuesday however the case was adjourned and rescheduled to a later date due to lacking proof.
Mr Black pleaded not responsible to the only cost at a preliminary listening to in the identical court docket in April.
Prosecutor Adrita Ahmed mentioned there was an “altercation in a nightclub” and Mr Black “grabbed Ms Edwardes’ wrist and twisted it”, inflicting a drink to spill on her.
She mentioned that “as a result Ms Edwardes has retaliated” and was subsequently cautioned by police for “going too far in self-defence”.
Outlining the defence case, Helena Duong, representing Mr Black, mentioned he “described Ms Edwardes effectively shouting at him and being aggressive”.
“What you can see on CCTV is immediately, at the very beginning, Mr Black trying to walk away, I think that much is clear,” Ms Duong mentioned.
The defence added: “She turns to him, appears to reach out in a way.
“And then there’s an change between them during which she continues to be aggressive and shouts at him, and he reacts to that after which she makes a motion, gesticulating, which is what causes Mr Black to succeed in for the glass.”
Ms Duong mentioned Ms Edwardes was later cautioned for “punching him in the back of the head afterwards” as Mr Black left the nightclub.
CCTV footage performed in court docket confirmed Mr Daley, 29, and Mr Black within the nightclub earlier than the incident unfolded.
Chief Justice of the Peace Paul Goldspring mentioned Mr Black’s alleged offence would fall within the “lowest category” of the sentencing pointers if he’s convicted, including: “The Crown’s case is no more than he grabbed the wrist.”
Mr Black gave his tackle as Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, and his attorneys mentioned he had flown over for the trial.
The chief Justice of the Peace was instructed the tape of Ms Edwardes’ police interview had been misplaced and there’s no transcript. An announcement has not but been taken from the officer who carried out her interview.
The trial was adjourned and rescheduled for 8 November.
Mr Black received an Oscar in 2009 for greatest unique screenplay for Milk, a movie primarily based on the lifetime of homosexual rights activist and politician, Harvey Milk.
He additionally wrote the 2011 movie J Edgar starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer, and directed by Clint Eastwood.
Ms Edwardes is an LGBTQ+ occasion planner and co-host of the BBC Three present Big Proud Party Agency.
Source: information.sky.com”