08 November 2023 , 11:24
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Tom Daley has been photographed alongside his husband, Dustin Lance Black, as the pair arrived at court for Dustin's assault trial today.
The Olympic athlete, 29, and the 49-year-old Oscar-winning screenwriter were seen outside Westminster Magistrate's Court in London this morning, holding hands and clutching a coffee each ahead of the trial in which Dustin is accused of assaulting a BBC presenter at Soho nightclub Freedom in August last year following an alleged argument between BBC Three presenter Teddy Edwardes, which he denies.
At a court hearing in April, Dustin pleaded not guilty to one charge of assault by beating – and a judge granted unconditional bail until the trial, which was postponed in August.
Dustin – who is married to 29-year-old Olympic diver Tom with whom he shares two sons – has previously expressed surprise and disappointment that the case has ended up in court. The American screenwriter sported a dark blue suit with a matching tie and a lighter blue shirt when he arrived at court this morning. Meanwhile, Dustin's husband Tom wore a black suit, with a white shirt and a grey and black patterned tie.
Tom Daley and his husband, Dustin Lance Black have arrived at court today (PA)In August 2022, the Hollywood star was in Freedom on Wardour Street when an alleged argument erupted between him and BBC Three presenter Teddy Edwardes. Police were called at the time, and a spokesperson confirmed that accusations of assault were filed by both parties involved. A Met statement released following the incident last year notes: “At 00:19hrs on Thursday, 18 August police were called to a licensed premises in Wardour Street following reports of an altercation between two customers.
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“Officers attended and spoke to those involved. Both parties, a 48-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, made allegations of common assault. There were no reports of any injuries and no arrests. Enquiries are ongoing.”
After being told the case would go to trial in April this year, a spokesperson for Dustin expressed his disappointment over the fact the case was moving forward. They said: “[Dustin is] surprised and saddened to learn that after the other person involved in this unfortunate incident took responsibility and expressed remorse for a punch to the back of Mr Black’s head - which left him with a life altering concussion - a decision was made to now examine the matter of a spilled drink in a court of law.
“Of course Mr Black will respect the process, and in the meantime will continue to focus on being a loving father and husband.”