Jurors trying DCI Banks actor retire to consider verdict

DCI Banks star Stephen Tompkinson’s talent made him “compelling in conveying a story”, the prosecution told jurors before they retired to deliberate on their verdict.

Tompkinson is accused of punching a man who was drunk and making “strange noises” outside the actor’s home in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, at around 5.30am on May 30, 2021.

The 57-year-old allegedly “snapped” and “lashed out” at the complainant, Karl Poole, causing him to fracture his skull when he fell and hit his head on the pavement, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The Ballykissangel star emerged from her home in pyjamas and a dressing gown after discovering Mr Poole and his friend Andrew Hall drinking at the bottom of her driveway.

A neighbour who watched the incident from her bedroom window told the court she saw Tompkinson slap and punch Mr Poole.

But the actor said he simply pushed the man away in self-defense.

Prosecutor Michael Bunch reminded the court how Tompkinson said hitting a man would have been “career suicide”.

“An expert plays a role”

Mr Bunch said that “Tompkinson’s obvious talent makes him convincing in telling a story”, adding: “He is an expert in interpreting one role – a man tormented by a pair of drunks.

“He can say one sentence,” Mr. Bunch told the court.

Tompkinson said he was “disgusted” by Mr Poole and Mr Hall, calling their behaviour “disgraceful” and “sheer pandering from grown men who should behave better”, jurors heard.

However, Nicholas Lumley KC, defending Tompkinson, said he was “sought after by producers because of his calm demeanour”.

“Why would he risk ruining this hard-earned reputation?” he asked the jury.

One punch ‘is not enough to bring down a sober man’

Mr Poole and Mr Hall had been drinking since midnight on May 30 and had gone to the beach before passing Tompkinson’s house on their way home.

The actor, who was living with his partner and seven-year-old son at the time, went out to challenge the “heavily intoxicated” men – one of whom was wearing nothing but his underwear.

He called 999 after the men tried unsuccessfully to get up while drinking a bottle of Jagermeister, the court heard.

While waiting to be connected, he went outside to tell the men he was calling the police.

The actor said the couple “strongly objected” to his complaint and began moving towards him.

He said he reached out to stop Mr Poole from approaching, making contact with his face – but it “wasn’t enough to bring down a sober man”, the actor told jurors.

Judge Paul Sloan KC sent the jury to consider their verdicts at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday.

They were sent home for the day an hour later and will resume their deliberations on Thursday.

Tompkinson denies a single charge of grievous bodily harm.

The trial continues.