TV star Stephen Tompkinson allegedly punched a man who was making a noise outside his house and caused him "traumatic brain injuries", a court heard.
The actor had been disturbed by 'drunk' Karl Poole, who had been for a dip in the sea while watching the sun rise. Mr Poole, dressed only in his underpants, and his friend, Andrew Hall, ended up "laughing and carrying on" in Mr Tompkinson's street in Whitley Bay around 5.30am on a Sunday morning, ChronicleLive reports.
Prosecutors allege that DCI Banks star Mr Tompkinson, dressed in his pyjamas and dressing gown, became "angry" at the disturbance and went outside to tell them to go away as he was concerned they would wake his partner and her child.
He is then alleged to have punched Mr Poole, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground, knocking him unconscious and causing serious head injuries. READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community Mr Tompkinson, 57, of Beech Grove, Whitley Bay, denies inflicting GBH on Mr Poole, saying he did no more than push him away in self-defence and he is standing trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
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