This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-31006635
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Nuneaton Town chief executive 'attacked former director' | Nuneaton Town chief executive 'attacked former director' |
(about 1 month later) | |
A football club chief executive launched a "deliberate and unprovoked attack" on its ex-financial director at a charity ball, a court has heard. | A football club chief executive launched a "deliberate and unprovoked attack" on its ex-financial director at a charity ball, a court has heard. |
Ian Neale, 48, formerly of Nuneaton Town, is alleged to have made "a beeline" for David Allen's table and launched four or five punches. | Ian Neale, 48, formerly of Nuneaton Town, is alleged to have made "a beeline" for David Allen's table and launched four or five punches. |
He is also accused of head-butting Mr Allen in the venue's foyer and injuring two security guards. | He is also accused of head-butting Mr Allen in the venue's foyer and injuring two security guards. |
Mr Neale, of Redruth Close, Nuneaton, denies three counts of assault. | Mr Neale, of Redruth Close, Nuneaton, denies three counts of assault. |
Mr Neale, who stepped down from his role after the incident in September, said he was acting in self-defence at the event at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, attended by more than 500 people. | Mr Neale, who stepped down from his role after the incident in September, said he was acting in self-defence at the event at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, attended by more than 500 people. |
'Shaken up' | |
Rob Perry, prosecuting at Coventry Magistrates' Court, said tempers flared at the NSPCC ball at about midnight on 26 September. | Rob Perry, prosecuting at Coventry Magistrates' Court, said tempers flared at the NSPCC ball at about midnight on 26 September. |
He said there had been a falling out "of some sorts" between the two men before that night. | He said there had been a falling out "of some sorts" between the two men before that night. |
Giving evidence, Mr Allen said he left the Football Conference club in 2012 because he was "dismayed with Mr Neale's behaviour at the club". | Giving evidence, Mr Allen said he left the Football Conference club in 2012 because he was "dismayed with Mr Neale's behaviour at the club". |
Mr Allen said he suffered bruises to the eye, hand and nose in the alleged attack and needed hospital treatment. | Mr Allen said he suffered bruises to the eye, hand and nose in the alleged attack and needed hospital treatment. |
He said it had left him shaken up and traumatised. | He said it had left him shaken up and traumatised. |
"It's made me very wary of going out," he said. | "It's made me very wary of going out," he said. |
James McLernon, defending, suggested Mr Allen was bitter over the nature of his exit from Nuneaton Town and that Mr Neale was simply acting in self-defence. | James McLernon, defending, suggested Mr Allen was bitter over the nature of his exit from Nuneaton Town and that Mr Neale was simply acting in self-defence. |
'Animalistic behaviour' | |
"I suggest you were giving as good as you got," Mr McLernon said to Mr Allen. | "I suggest you were giving as good as you got," Mr McLernon said to Mr Allen. |
"I strongly refute that," he replied. | "I strongly refute that," he replied. |
Mr McLernon said when Mr Neale was being restrained, Mr Allen approached him and tried to strike him. Mr Allen said that was untrue. | Mr McLernon said when Mr Neale was being restrained, Mr Allen approached him and tried to strike him. Mr Allen said that was untrue. |
Security guard Khalid Miah said he was punched twice in the face by Mr Neale. Another security guard, Jacqueline Richards, said she suffered a hand injury. | Security guard Khalid Miah said he was punched twice in the face by Mr Neale. Another security guard, Jacqueline Richards, said she suffered a hand injury. |
Mr Miah described the defendant's behaviour as "animalistic". | Mr Miah described the defendant's behaviour as "animalistic". |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |