Actor Stephen Tompkinson, 56, who has appeared in a number of top TV series over the last three decades including DCI Banks and Ballykissangel, is facing a trial after denying a single allegation of GBH at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on 10 August.
He will appear at Newcastle Crown Court facing a single charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.
He is probably best known for playing Alan Banks in DCI Banks and was also in Grafters, In Deep, Wild At Heart, and Trollied, after his breakthrough role in Drop The Dead Donkey in the 1990s.
A statement from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Stephen Tompkinson, aged 56, of Whitley Bay, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 10 to face a single charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm.
“He pleaded not guilty to the charge and will next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday, September 7.”
Tompkinson became widely known after starring as Father Peter Clifford in 1996’s Ballykissangel, in the same year as he appeared in the hit film Brassed Off as the character Phil.
Other notable TV credits include Minder, New Tricks, Ted And Alice, and the children’s show Little Red Tractor.