Football agent denies attack in pub toilet

FORMER PROFESSIONAL PLAYER AND CO-DEFENDANT SAY THEY ACTED IN SELF DEFENCE AFTER THEY WERE ASSAULTED

- AMY WALKER

A FOOTBALL agent repeatedly punched a man in a pub toilet leaving him 'covered in blood after his pal 'joked about him using the toilet, a trial has heard.

James Featherstone, 41, is accused of attacking the man alongside his co-defendant, Benjamin Cowgill, 41, on March 8, 2019.

Jurors at Manchester Crown Court heard that the man had gone to the Stamford Arms pub, in the affluent village of Bowdon, Altrincham, where he met friends for a drink.

Helena Williams, prosecuting, told the court: “At around 8.30 pm, he went to use the toilets in the pub.

"As he went into the toilet he noticed a male - who was later identified as Mr. Cowgill - near the urinals, swaying a little.

"He noticed that there wasn't any toilet paper so went to retrieve some from the landlord. He returned to the toilet. He noticed that Mr. Cowgill was still leaning against the wall talking on his phone."

As the man was using the toilet, Mr. Cowgill, from Bowdon, allegedly started shouting 'obscenities' through the door.