Actor Stephen Tompkinson has arrived at court to stand trial accused of GBH.
Tompkinson, 57, is best known for starring in ITV drama Wild At Heart and playing the title role in TV crime drama DCI Banks.
He is appearing at Newcastle Crown Court accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man named Karl Poole on May 30 2021.
The actor, who lives in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, denies the charge.
The trial is expected to last four days and Tompkinson’s barrister Adam Birkby previously told the court the actor will claim self-defence.
Tompkinson became a household name after starring as Father Peter Clifford in 1996’s Ballykissangel, and in the same year appeared in hit film Brassed Off.
Other notable TV credits include Drop The Dead Donkey, Wild At Heart, Minder, New Tricks, Grafters and Ted And Alice.
He also appeared in ITV’s DCI Banks for six years until the show was axed in 2016, and starred in a 2021 stage adaptation of Educating Rita.
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