Teammate Headbutted During Boozy Post-Match Rugby Drink-Up

Charged: Henry Peuble

A fly-half with the England deaf rugby team headbutted a teammate during after-match drinks - fracturing his skull and causing brain damage - after the injured player said his “hearing was s***,” a court heard yesterday.

Henry Peuble, 30, was drinking with London Welsh RFC teammates when a row broke out with Imperial College PhD student Alexander Mitchener, 29.

He suffered a fracture to the base of his skull, plus bleeding and bruising to the brain outside The Northcote pub, Clapham Junction in the early hours of August 20, 2023.

Peuble, of Aylward Road, Wimbledon has pleaded not guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court - where he is following the trial with the assistance of a hearing loop - to inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent.

Mr Mitchener, who denies making any offensive remark regarding Peuble’s hearing, told the jury: “My last memory is turning towards the defendant and saying: ‘What the f***? What’s the issue?’

“It then all goes black at that point apart from a snippet of being in the ambulance and covered in blood at the hospital getting staples put into my head.”

Now a Doctor of Philosophy, with a PhD in Aerosol Science and Respiratory Health Mr Mitchener told the jury he has not fully recovered from his injuries nearly three years later and has difficulties with short-term memory.

Both had travelled with London Welsh to Canterbury earlier in the day, with Mr Mitchener playing for the second team and Peuble the first team.

Peuble’s lawyer Michael Newport suggested to Mr Mitchener he made disparaging comments from the sideline, regarding the first teamer’s lack of hearing.

“You referred to his disability and inability to hear things. You said his hearing was s*** and was the reason for moves breaking down on the field was because he could not hear the calls.”

Hospital: Alexander Mitchener

Mr Mitchener denied making a such remarks, repeating he was “frustrated” during the evening drinks about the allegation.

“Nobody told me at the time when I asked them what I was supposed to have said.

“I have a lot of respect for Henry that he plays rugby at the level he does.”

The trial heard the team had a drink after the Canterbury match and more drinks when they returned to their club in Richmond, before setting off for further drinks at two locations.

Mr Mitchener said he had “three or four” beers before arriving at The Northcote.

“I recall being informed that something I was supposed to have said had been taken badly and that’s when things turned south.

“Henry was convinced I had said something offensive and I went over to him with a drink and said sorry.

“He was extremely angry and I asked for clarity, but never got it.

“I wouldn’t want to rub people up the wrong way and kept apologising even though I didn’t know what I was supposed rot have said.”

Mr Mitchener was outside waiting for an Uber when he got into a discussion with Peuble again, resulting in the headbutt.

“Rugby is a competitive environment and there is testy back and forth,” he conceded. “There is a bit of banter with rugby people, who test each other and everybody wants to be a tough guy.”

Mr Mitchener agreed he may have been drunk at the time of the 1.00am incident and also been angry with his teammates.

However, he insisted the defendant was worse. “He was incredibly threatening and aggressive.

“He was so angry with me that inside the pub he threatened to beat my head in.”

Earlier prosecutor Jonathan Gold told the jury: "There is no dispute he caused very serious harm. The issue is did he intend it?"

CCTV footage recorded outside the pub shows Mr Mitchener leaning in towards the defendant and the defence suggest security staff prevented his re-entry to the venue.

Other drinkers attempted to intervene and calm the situation by removing Mr Mitchener from the confrontation.

However, Mr Gold added: "There is not a need for the defendant to defend himself. It was a deliberate head butt to the face, a deliberate action that can lead to serious harm."  

Trial continues…………