Vinnie Jones: On trial for assault

Vinnie Jones: On trial for assault

English film actor and ex-footballer Vinnie Jones was in a South Dakota court to defend himself against assault charges.

The 44 year old "X-Men: The Last Stand" star was hospitalized after he was hit on the face with a beer mug during a December bar brawl which broke out after he tried to join a game of pool in the small town of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Those who have witnessed the incident, said that Jones took offense when one of the men identified him as Juggernaut from "X-Men: The Last Stand," which he apparently took as a slight against his more significant roles.

Jury selection for the trial began in Sioux Falls on Thursday, where Vinnie Jones was arrested and charged for the incident. Prosecutors accused him of hitting Juan Trevino Barrera three times.

The actor's lawyer told the court that Jones was acting in self-defense when he punched Juan Trevino Barrera as the actor was being taken to the bathroom to clean up.

Jones has been charged with simple assault, an offence that carries a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

A Sioux Falls police officer told Vinnie Jones was arrested because he admitted he did not feel immediately threatened by Barrera but instead punched him for heckling and taunting him over his accent.

After retiring from football Vinnie Jones developed a brutal "hard man" reputation. He debuted as an actor in "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels". His other film credits include "Snatch" and "Gone in Sixty Seconds".