Tom Daley’s husband twisted the wrist of a BBC presenter before allegedly throwing a drink over her while in a Soho gay bar, a court heard today.
Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, 49 – who will be tried at Westminster Magistrates’ Court – is accused of assault of Teddy Edwardes, 32, in the West End club Freedom last summer.
Black, who married the Olympic champion diver in 2017, denies one charge of assault by beating Miss Edwardes on August 18 last year.
Miss Edwardes, who stars in the BBC Three show The Big Proud Party Agency, claimed Black threw the beverage in her face after she asked someone to leave her table and she then gave him ‘a little tap on the back of the head’ in response.
But in court this morning Black’s representatives allege that Miss Edwardes had been ‘shouting at him and being aggressive’ during the night out.
Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, 49, is accused of throwing a drink in the face of Teddy Edwardes, 32, in the West End club Freedom last summer
BBC Three presenter Teddy Edwardes arrives at the City of Westminster Magistrates Court this morning
Black, who is Tom Daley’s husband, was seen arriving at Westminster Magistrates Court this morning where he is accused of assaulting a woman
The pair were both pictured arriving outside of the court room this morning.
Black, who married his Olympian husband in 2017, appeared to smile as he waved at someone, while Ms Edwardes looked down at her phone as she walked in.
Adrita Ahmed, prosecuting, told the court today: ‘This is essentially about an altercation in a nightclub.
‘The Crown’s case is that he grabbed Ms Edwardes’ wrist, twisted it.’
The prosecution alleged this is what caused the drink to spill over the BBC presenter, to which ‘as a result Ms Edwardes retaliated’, the court heard.
Helena Duong, defending, said: ‘Mr Black describes Ms Edwardes as shouting at him and being aggressive.’
She referred to CCTV footage shown in court that apparently shows Miss Edwardes reaching out to Black as he walks away, however, the video did not make clear if there had been any contact.
Ms Duong claimed that the TV star had then gestured towards Black with her arms.
Black then called the police to claim Miss Edwardes had punched him, the court heard.
Miss Edwardes stars in the BBC Three show The Big Proud Party Agency
Black married Olympic diver Tom Daley in 2017 and they have two children together
In an Instagram post following the incident the model praised Daley, 29, for trying to defuse the situation
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In an Instagram post following the incident the model praised Daley, 29, for trying to defuse the situation.
In the video she claimed that she invited Black and Mr Daley to sit with her but Black became upset when she asked a stranger who joined their table to get up and leave.
She said: ‘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.
‘For everyone asking what happened, we basically invited them to where we were sitting and I bought them some drinks etc, everything was fine.
‘And then this random guy came and sat with us and my friend said they felt uncomfortable because they didn’t know who it was so I asked security if they could move them on.
Black smiled as he arrived at the assault hearing at the city of Westminster Magistrates Court earlier today
Miss Edwardes looked at her phone as she arrived at court this morning, clutching a Gucci handbag
Black and his husband Mr Daey attending the Universal Music BRIT Awards after party in February
‘The security came to move them on and Tom’s husband started going mad saying how unwelcome I’ve made him feel and that he was leaving, so I was like OK? If that’s what you want? Then got straight drink to the face.
‘I have to add that Tom Daley was lovely throughout, he was just trying to diffuse the situation.’
The Met Police had said at the time that both parties had made allegations of common assault.
They said: ‘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.’
During Black’s appearance in court earlier this year, he gave his address as Los Angeles and was bailed unconditionally until today.
In April a spokesman for Black said the film director, who won an the Oscar for best original screenplay with 2008’s Milk, was ‘surprised and saddened’ to be facing the charge.
‘Mr Black was 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’.
He added: ‘Of course Mr Black will respect the process, and in the meantime will continue to focus on being a loving father and husband.’
Black and Mr Daly announced the birth of their second son earlier this month.
Black denies one charge of assault by beating.
