DCI Banks star Stephen Tompkinson has claimed it would be “career suicide” for him to “assault someone,” as he stepped into the witness box to give evidence in his assault trial.
The 57-year-old arrived at court to stand trial today (May 9) after being accused of grievous bodily harm on a man, Karl Poole, on May 30, 2021.
Newcastle Crown Court has heard how on the morning of the alleged assault, Tompkinson said he was asleep at home with his partner and her child when he “became aware” of “two men outside” – Poole and a man named Andrew Hall.
The actor said he came out of his house at around 5.30am, wearing pyjamas and a dressing gown, to challenge Mr Poole and his friend, who were both “quite heavily intoxicated”.
When asked by his barrister, Nicholas Lumley KC: “Did you punch Karl Poole?, ” Tompkinson replied, “‘No.”
(Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
He claimed he put out his hand to stop Mr Poole coming towards him and made contact with his face, but noted how it wasn’t enough to “knock a sober man off his feet” but “decent enough to grab your attention.”
The court also heard how Tompkinson, whose career spans over thirty years, admitted that tempers can fray while filming, but he said he never resorted to violence during pressurised situations.
(Image: Getty Images)
He told the court: “I didn’t want to hurt him; I wanted to stop him to change his mind about coming towards me and further onto my property.”
Tompkinson said as he went to make a ‘stop’ motion, his hand connected with the left side of Mr Poole’s face and that he went to the floor because of his “unsteadiness”.
The court was told Tompkinson still had his phone in his hand after calling 999. The court heard the atmosphere changed after the actor told Mr Poole he had called police. Tompkinson said Mr Poole then said: ‘” don’t give a f*** who you are.”
Asked if it would have been possible for him to have made a fist, he said: “Not without breaking my fingers or risking some solid metal going into Karl’s face.”
Tompkinson also claimed he is not currently working at the moment, and when asked if having the case having over him has affected his ability to work, he replied: “Very much so, yes.”
(Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
He was then asked if he needs to work at the moment, to which he said: “Yes, absolutely.”
“In no way trying to compare my situation with the injury Karl suffered; they don’t compare; I’ve had situations taken away from me that were in place. I’ve been told while this is hanging over me, any association is put on hold,” he said.
Asked by his barrister if he had anything to gain by assaulting Mr Poole, Tompkinson said: “Absolutely not. Any member of the public is potentially a member of your audience, and you have to treat them with respect at all times.
“After we got 15 million viewers for Ballykissangel, my father, who was alive at the time, said: ‘You have been invited into people’s living rooms, and you must always treat them with respect’, and I always try to.
“It would be career suicide to do something as outrageous as assault someone.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Following the incident, the actor ventured inside while Poole remained on the floor.
From a position of safety, he heard Hall shout: “You’ve killed him.”
Tompkinson confessed: “I was slightly concerned for Karl. He didn’t seem to have moved. I was not sure how much time had elapsed, so I went back outside.
“He was snoring very, very loudly. I just assumed he had finally given into the stupor he was in and passed out into a very, very deep sleep.”
The ‘Drop Dead Donkey’ star denied any involvement in the injuries sustained by Poole, because: “There was no left punch by me whatsoever. There’s no evidence of a punch at all because one never took place.”
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
When asked whether he accepts any responsibility, he replied: “Yes, by my presence, I changed the scenario because it was these two friends; they drank way too much, got way out of control, but that aside they were enjoying the utopia of the world and the rules they created that didn’t fit into anyone else’s.
“I think a dose of reality in the form of a 6ft 2 man coming and saying stop what you are doing; it’s not acceptable, go home, seemed to really upset them.”
Later, performer and producer Andy Hamilton, was called to the stand to give a character reference.
He claimed: “Stephen was always the calmest member of the production. I’ve never seen him lose his temper. I can’t remember ever hearing him raise his voice.
“I’ve never seen him get aggressive or abusive with anyone. That’s just not him.”
(Image: PA)
In addition, actress, Nichola McAuliffe, referred to him as a: “Four o’clock in the morning friend” and said he is “an utterly loyal friend, not a fair weather friend.”
Former senior police detective turned writer, Arthur McKenzie, who’s worked extensively with the actor, said he admired Tompkinson’s “self-effacing character.”
He explained that fight scenes are extensively choreographed, with precautions put in place to make sure nothing goes wrong.
Rather than a violent man Mr McKenzie described his colleague as: “If anything, very much a pacifist.”
The trial continues.
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here
READ MORE:
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
