Stephen Tompkinson is known for a protracted and prestigious appearing profession, with TV hits together with DCI Banks, Ballykissangel and Wild at Coronary heart.
However all this might be put ‘on maintain’ for practically two years as he fought a cost of grievous bodily hurt, which he was lastly cleared of at this time.
Giving proof, Mr Tompkinson detailed the crippling affect of the case on his skilled life, with roles he already had taken away from him and any provides drying up.
Requested by his lawyer if he wanted this appearing work, the 57-year-old replied ‘sure, completely’ – suggesting the trial has had a dangerous impact on his funds.
Whereas the star mentioned his appearing profession through the trial, he revealed much less about his private life. Mr Tompkinson had been linked along with his Educating Rita co-star, Jessica Johnson, who he was pictured with in 2019.
Stephen Tompkinson has had a variety of main tv roles, together with enjoying DCI Alan Banks
Mr Tompkinson with Niall Tobin in Ballykissangel. The actor performed a British priest adjusting to life in an Irish village
Tompkinson is pictured in 2019 along with his associate and Educating Rita co-star, Jessica Johnson
Beforehand he had a long-term girlfriend, Elaine Younger, following divorces from two ex wives, Nicci Taylor – the mom of his daughter Daisy – and Celia Anastasia.
Throughout a Day by day Mail interview in 2015, he revealed he had a phobia of jail.
‘I used to like watching the BBC comedy Porridge. However the spooky scenes when it was quiet at evening all the time terrified me – and the considered being locked up with individuals you did not select. In order that put me off being a grasp felony,’ he mentioned.
Mr Tompkinson was accused of punching Karl Poole within the head after discovering him and a buddy noisily consuming on the backside of his driveway within the early hours of Might 30, 2021.
However the actor advised jurors he solely pushed Mr Poole away in self-defence and the contact ‘wasn’t sufficient to knock a sober man off his ft’.
He set free a sigh of reduction however confirmed no emotion because the jury at Newcastle Crown Court docket returned a not responsible verdict at this time.
Mr Tompkinson’s defence drew on his showbiz profession at moments within the trial, describing him as ‘appearing royalty.’
His barrister, Nicholas Lumley, KC, mentioned that within the business ‘there could also be hellraisers who put on their status as some kind of badge of honour and commerce on it’ however his shopper had all the time been a real skilled.
Comedian Andy Hamilton, a author on Drop the Useless Donkey comedy collection which launched his profession, appeared in particular person to testify to his good character.
He mentioned: ‘That present was an actual stress cooker as we had very tight deadlines as a result of we put a number of topical jokes into the script.
‘Stephen was all the time the calmest member of the manufacturing. We did a complete collection when he was in poor health struggling the after results of malaria which was fairly debilitating.
‘So he had each justification in getting sizzling underneath the collar however he was very cool headed, very composed, very calm.
‘I’ve by no means see him lose his mood, I can’t keep in mind him being aggressive with anybody.
‘I’ve seen him be the peacemaker when individuals have been upset and have seen him step in to calm issues down.’
Earlier than going out with Ms Johnson he had a long-term girlfriend, Elaine Younger
The actor pictured along with his ex-wife Nicci Taylor in 2000, she’s the mom of his daughter Daisy
Giving proof, Mr Tompkinson detailed the crippling affect of the case on his skilled life, with roles he already had taken away from him and any provides drying up. He is seen on Wild At Coronary heart
Detective present DCI Banks returned for a fourth collection and has been successful in America
Comedian Andy Hamilton, a author on Drop the Useless Donkey comedy collection, supported Tompkinson
The street the place the incident occurred in Might 2021
He added: ‘Stephen works just about completely and one of many causes for that’s that folks know he’s good underneath stress.’
Mr Tompkinson advised the courtroom that in his lengthy profession as an actor he had labored in lots of ‘traumatic conditions’ however had by no means assaulted anybody.
He recalled recommendation given by his late father when Ballykissangel made him a family title to ‘present respect’ as he had successfully been invited into individuals’s residing rooms.
And he mentioned the behavior of not making correct contact in struggle scenes had been ‘in-bred’ and he was certain solely his palm made contact with Mr Poole and with little pressure as a type of self-defence.
Mr Tompkinson advised the courtroom he bought his huge break of a seven-month contract with the BBC after profitable a high pupil award when ending drama faculty in 1987.
His first huge hit was within the TV comedy collection Drop the Useless Donkey and the TV collection Ballykissangel was watched by 15 million viewers, he mentioned.
Different hits included Wild at Coronary heart and DCI Banks and he additionally starred within the movie Brassed Off.
In 1984, he received the 1994 British Comedy Award for Finest TV Comedy Actor.
A photograph launched by prosecutors of Mr Tompkinson shortly after his arrest in 2021. This picture was proven to the jury through the trial
Different pictures present the actor holding his two palms outstretched. One is bruised. These pictures had been proven to the jury through the trial
The pictures had been launched by the Crown Prosecution Service
Mr Lumley invoked his shopper’s glittering profession in his closing speech, asking: ‘What had he to achieve from doing this vindictively? He had all the pieces to lose.
‘He has served a occupation he loves, from gently bewildered priest of the Nineteen Nineties to the current day, an actor sought out due to his calmness, that opinion of him went solely unchallenged, and but the prosecution seeks to say now, he should have misplaced his mood.
‘What attainable motive would he should throw his status? He has by no means carried out himself in the best way the prosecution alleges in 57 years.
‘He’s appearing royalty. We advise no matter he did, he did in self defence, not more than any of us would have carried out.
‘They had been the unintended penalties of a speedy coming collectively of a sober and a drunk and that doesn’t make Stephen Tompkinson a felony.
‘It’s what makes him harmless.’
The jury agreed – clearing him of all fees.
Requested for his response as he was leaving courtroom, Mr Tompkinson advised reporters: ‘I simply need to go dwelling.’
After the decision, a dissatisfied sigh may very well be heard from the general public gallery the place complainant Karl Poole (pictured exterior courtroom after the trial) was sitting
