Barrister 'flashed at wedding guests then beat man who told him to stop'

The best man at an exclusive country reception brutally beat a fellow guest who objected to him exposing himself, a court was told.

Barrister Christopher Dunn, 40, is alleged to have attacked the man at the ceremony of his friends Russell and Rosalind Poole, who were renewing their vows after ten years together.

After completing his duties Dunn, who had been drinking all day, became more and more abusive towards guests at the reception party, a jury was told.

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Dunn at a fencing class

In one conversation with fellow guests at the Harefield Hall Hotel, in Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, the barrister was asked about a tattoo which was visible under his white dress shirt.

Richard Haworth, prosecuting, said: "He was asked if it was a white rose to which he replied 'I'll show you a white rose' and at which point he unzipped his trousers."

He is then said to have exposed himself.

But fellow guests were not amused by his behaviour and were even more concerned as there were children in the vicinity at the time, the court heard.

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Dunn arrives at court

Mr Haworth said the incident was witnessed by several youngsters, including Mrs Poole's attendants.

David Baird-Dean, a guest at the ceremony, said the barrister had joined his table after verbally abusing three women and proceeded to expose himself.

He said: "I received a tap on the shoulder from a disabled man sitting at our table who said, 'I can't believe it.

"'He has got his **** out.' There were adults sat down and children sat down at the table."

Mr Baird-Dean, 48, who had gone to the ceremony with his wife Kristina, said that the mothers of the attendants were outraged by his behaviour.

He said the children around the table included girls of around 12 years of age.

He added: "I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I thought it was only right to ask him to stop. I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck."

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Attacked: David Baird-Dean

Mr Baird-Dean told Dunn his behaviour had been completely unacceptable and told him he should apologise to those guests at the table, which he did.

But the court heard that later that evening, after drinking more alcohol, Dunn became angry at being forced to apologise and later sought violent revenge.

Mr Haworth, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said Dunn, of Morley in Leeds, became boastful and aggressive and Mr Baird-Dean once again attempted to calm him down.

He said the pair went down to the sun terrace, where Mr Baird-Dean, a mechanic, tried to defuse the situation. Scroll down for more

Fellow guests: Kristina and David Baird-Dean, who claims he was attacked

Mr Haworth said: "All of a sudden the defendant brought his fists up and punched Mr Baird-Dean on the back of the head.

"He moved quickly and Mr Baird-Dean, staggering, tried to turn but the defendant went round the front of Mr Baird-Dean and punched him again in the face, causing him to fall down and then he lent on his torso pinning him down and began repeatedly punching him the face."

The jury heard that while he lay unconscious, Dunn jumped on his chest, pinned his arms against his side and continued the violent attack.

Mr Baird-Dean, from Blackburn, suffered a fractured cheek and jaw bone, a fractured eye socket and severe swelling to the face and neck as a result of the attack, which took place in July last year.

He needed an operation and a metal plate and screws were inserted to repair his shattered jaw.

A consultant said his injuries were so severe that they were consistent with those sustained in a highspeed car crash.

Dunn denies one charge of grievous bodily harm and another of grievous bodily harm with intent. He claims that Mr Baird-Dean threw the first punch and he was acting in self defence.

The trial continues.

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