Ben Stokes case: Co-defendant Ryan Hale says he was a victim of unlawful assault

One of two men who was hit by England cricketer Ben Stokes says he should have been treated as a victim of unlawful assault.

Ryan Hale was acquitted of affray after a trial at Bristol Crown Court, during which Stokes was also found not guilty of the same offence.

Mr Hale's lawyers said in a statement that he "struggles with the reasons why the Crown Prosecution Service did not treat him as a victim of an unlawful assault".

In another development, England coach Trevor Bayliss has said he would encourage Stokes to make a public apology - adding that the player has already apologised to teammates and staff.

Stokes, Mr Hale and another man, Ryan Ali, tussled and fell to the floor after Stokes alleged Mr Hale and Mr Ali directed homophobic abuse at two gay men, William O'Connor and Kai Barry, outside the Mbargo nightclub in the Clifton area of Bristol last September.

Emergency services worker Mr Ali, who was also charged with affray and acquitted, suffered a fractured eye socket, while former soldier Mr Hale was left with concussion.

Mr Hale's laywers added that he had "passionately denied" making homophobic comments "throughout the course of this case".

They said he initially provided a denial "when he was interviewed on a voluntary basis (last September) and he maintains this denial to date".

A bouncer had claimed he witnessed Stokes mock Mr O'Connor and Mr Barry, but they later told ITV News they were grateful to Stokes for intervening.

Mr O'Connor said: "He could see the people doing what they were doing and how homophobic they were and how nasty they came across."

The statement from Mr Hale's lawyers says it is a "concern" to him that Mr O'Connor and Mr Barry have "taken the opportunity to speak with various media outlets about the alleged homophobic abuse that they received".

The statement added: "Mr Hale denies that there was any animosity between the group throughout the evening, and he in fact left the Mbargo nightclub and greeted Mr O'Connor and Mr Barry in a friendly way, as supported by CCTV.

"He does not in any way accept that there was any homophobic behaviour on his or his friend's part.

"It is upsetting to Mr Hale that although he was acquitted, the accusation that he was the author of such abuse remains."