9 Sep 2009

Vainikolo on trial for punching a fan

6:02 am on 9 September 2009

A British court has been told that the England rugby winger Lesley Vainikolo fractured the skull of a fan he punched for no reason after sharing drinks with the alleged victim during a night out with fellow players.

Tongan-born Vainikolo, who also played league for the Kiwis, punched Jake Alicker in the head near a nightclub in the city of Bath in the early hours of October 26 last year.

Vainikolo, who qualified for England through residency, was subsequently charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm to which he has pleaded not guilty.

The trial continues.