Actor 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.
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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.
While waiting to be connected, the 57-year-old went outside in his pyjamas and dressing gown to inform the 'heavily intoxicated' men who he was calling.
Neighbour Caroline Davidson watched the scene from her bedroom window. She told the court that Tompkinson slapped and punched Mr Poole, causing his to stumble and fall backwards. However, Tompkinson said he could not have punched Mr Poole because he was holding his phone.
He told the court the two men “took great objection to me complaining about them being there” and had started to move towards him. He said he put his hand out to stop Mr Poole coming any further.
“I didn’t want to hurt him, I wanted to stop him to change his mind about coming towards me and further on to my property,” Tompkinson said.
Tompkinson highlighted to the court how he has lost acting work since being charged and any association with him in the industry was “on hold” while the legal proceedings were hanging over him.
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