Jones Acted In 'Self Defence' In Bar Brawl

From: Imdb.com

Tough guy Vinnie Jones has defended his actions in a December bar brawl in South Dakota, insisting he was simply trying to protect himself.

The soccer star-turned-actor headed to court in South Dakota on Thursday to face three charges of assault following a bloody punch-up with Juan Trevino Barrera in a Sioux Falls bar.

During the scuffle, Jones was hit in the face with a beer glass, while Barrera was left with 48 stitches in his face after the Brit fought back.

But the Snatch actor is adamant his retaliation was justified.

Giving his opening statement in Jones' trial, his attorney Peter Wold told the court: "Vinnie Jones used very reasonable force in an attempt to protect himself when he finally could."

One of Jones' pals, Brett Buxton, testified in the star's defence, claiming he was completely sober when the incident occurred: "He bought a round of drinks and I definitely remember him not having one and he was dancing at one point."

Wold also hit out at Barrera for selling his story to a tabloid soon after the fight - and after bringing him to the stand, got him to acknowledge that he'd cash in further from his tell-all if Jones was convicted.

Jones himself testified on Friday morning, claiming he was so badly injured, his "nose was hanging off, you could have put a quarter in it". And he added he was "driven with fear" when he hit Barrera because of the severity of his own injuries. He also alleged Barrera was mocking his accent and his age.

The defence rested after Jones took to the stand and his fate is now in the hands of the jury.

The movie hardman is facing up to a year behind bars as well as a $1,000 (£665) fine if he is found guilty.

From: Imdb.com

Movie tough guy Vinnie Jones faces an April Fools Day he won't be smiling about - he's due in court to face assault charges.

After four delays, the Snatch star's attorneys met South Dakota prosecutors in court on Wednesday for a hearing, and a plea date was set for 1 April.

Jones has been charged with three counts of assault following a bloody fight in a Sioux Falls bar, which left him with 48 stitches in his face.

The former soccer star was not in court in Minnehaha County, South Dakota for the hearing.

Justin Barrera, Jones' fighting foe in the brawl, was arrested on drug charges earlier this month.

Barrera reportedly smashed a glass in Jones' face.

Jones Hires Celebrity Attorney To Battle Brawl Charges

From: Imdb.com

Soccer star-turned-actor Vinnie Jones has a heavyweight legal team in his corner to fight assault charges - he has hired the same lawyer who defended Mel Gibson and Lindsay Lohan.

The Mean Machine star is due in court on Tuesday after he was involved in a scuffle at a bar in Sioux Falls, South Dakota earlier this month.

And he hopes celebrity attorney Blair Berk - who successfully represented Gibson and Lohan when they were hit with driving under the influence charges - will help clear him over the brawl.

The Hollywood hardman was pictured on CCTV apparently attacking Juan Barrera when a boozy night erupted in violence. Barrera's pal Jesse Bickett was held by cops but released without charge.

Jones, who insists he was the victim, needed 48 stitches to his face after he was struck with a beer glass.

Jones Charged Over Bar Brawl

From: Imdb.com

Actor Vinnie Jones has been charged with three counts of assault, following a bloody bar brawl in South Dakota that left him with 48 stitches in his face.

Swordfish star Jones claims he was the victim of the fight last week (beg01Dec08), alleging a man smashed him in the face with a beer mug in an unprovoked attack.

But he was later captured on CCTV punching Juan Barrera - who he claims was an accomplice of his alleged attacker, Jesse Bickett.

The footage prompted authorities charge Jones with three counts of simple assault.

Bickett has been freed without charge, claiming his tussle with Jones was "mutual combat".

Jones Defends Bar Brawl

From: Imdb.com

Hollywood tough guy Vinnie Jones is adamant he only fought in a recent bar brawl to defend himself after an attacker tried to blind him with glass.

The soccer star-turned-actor was arrested and booked for misdemeanour simple assault last week after finding himself at the centre of a fight at Wiley's Tavern in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The star was so badly hurt in the showdown he had to be admitted to hospital, where he needed 48 stitches across his nose and face.

And Jones insists he was stunned by the unprovoked attack - because it happened while he was taking pictures with fans.

He says, "I was in South Dakota with a crowd of mates for a pheasant shoot. We stopped off for a few beers and didn.t think anything of it. I arrived at the boozer (bar) and was signing autographs and doing pictures.

"We were having a laugh with a group of lads at the pool table, whose girlfriends I was doing pictures for. They started having a joke about my films. The next thing I knew I was on the ground with a glass in my face.

"It was over in seconds. The blood was pouring out. The attack came from nowhere. I was stunned by it. All the way through it, someone was shouting, .Knife!'"

In the bar's CCTV footage, a bloodied Jones can be seen heading to the restroom when he confronts fellow patron Juan Barrera, 24, in a corridor and begins punching him. Barrera then attempts to pick Jones up and throw him.

But the British star has accused Barrera and his friends of instigating the incident, and defended his own actions by declaring: "The fact is: Someone tried to blind me. Would you not be p**sed off if someone tried to blind you for life?"