Dustin Lance Black arrives at court to face trial over alleged assault on woman
Oscar winning star Dustin Lance Black has arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court – where he is on trial charged with assault following an alleged fracas inside a London nightclub last summer.
The 49-year-old American screenwriter is on trial accused of assaulting a BBC presenter at Soho nightclub Freedom in August last year. Dustin – who is married to 29-year-old Olympic diver Tom Daly with whom he shares two sons – has previously expressed surprise and disappointment that the case has ended up in court.
Arriving at the London court on Tuesday 8 August, Dustin was well dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and blue tie. At a court hearing in April, Dustin plead not guilty to one charge of assault by beating–- and a judge granted unconditional bail until the trail – which begins today.
In August last year, the Hollywood star was in Freedom on Wardour Street when an alleged argument erupted between him and BBC Three presenter Teddy Edwardes. The 33-year-old TV star reportedly invited Dustin and Tom to join them at a table in the nightclub.
The Hollywood screenwriter is on trial for assault - which he has plead not guilty to (Getty Images)
He has been accused of assault by BBC Three presenter Teddy Edwardes (Getty Images)However, things took a turn when Teddy reportedly asked security to move on another individual she didn’t recognise who joined the group at the table. This reportedly led to an alleged disagreement where Dustin is alleged to have thrown a drink on Ms Edwardes.
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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.
“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.”
Dustin is married to Olympic diver Tom Daley and together they share two sons (PA)Ms Edwardes herself had highlighted the incident via her Instagram account, claiming: “I went out for a couple of quiet drinks with some friends last night, nothing crazy and I bumped into Tom Daley and his husband in Soho, who pretty much unprovoked he threw an entire drink over me in Freedom”.
“I didn’t have a drink to throw back so I did choose violence, but I wasn’t that violent, he got a little tap on the head.
“Tell me why he is crying outside saying it’s a targeted attack and he’s traumatised and called the police, so I have to wait for hours and now I have been cautioned and have to go in for interviews.”
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.”
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