Stephen Tompkinson cleared of inflicting grievous bodily harm
manchestereveningnews.co.ukActor Stephem Tompkinson has been cleared of punching a drunk man outside out his house who he confronted for making noise. The DCI Banks star was accused of punching Karl Poole in the head after confronting him and his friend who were drinking at the bottom of his driveway in the early hours of May 30, 2021.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how Mr Poole fell to the ground and broke his skull when his head hit the pavement. Prosecutors claimed Tompkinson 'snapped' and 'lashed out' at Mr Poole for his behaviour.
However, jurors found him not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm after deliberating for just under two hours. Read more: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community When asked for his reaction while leaving court, Tompkinson told reporters: "I just want to go home.” The trial was told Mr Poole and his friend Andrew Hall had been drinking since midnight that bank holiday Sunday.
They had gone to the beach before passing Tompkinson's home in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, while heading back. Tompkinson heard "strange noises" at around 5.30 am and decided to diall 999, jurors heard.
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