Actor Stephen Tompkinson will claim self-defence at GBH trial, court told

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Actor Stephen Tompkinson will claim self-defence when he goes on trial charged with grievous bodily harm, a court has heard. The 56-year-old, who is best known for playing the title role in TV crime drama DCI Banks, is due to go on trial at Newcastle Crown Court next year. The clerk of the court said the particulars of the offence are that Tompkinson “unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm” on a man named Karl Poole on May 30 last year.