Rugby star 'panicked by police'

Lesley Vainikolo is on trial at Bristol Crown Court

Gloucester rugby star Lesley Vainikolo "panicked" and gave a false name to police after fracturing a man's skull with one punch, a court has heard.

The 30-year-old England player denies causing grievous bodily harm following a Bath nightclub incident last October.

Bristol Crown Court heard Mr Vainikolo gave police Bath player Shontayne Hape's name, on his arrest at the home of teammate Olly Barkley.

"It was stupid of me. I panicked," Mr Vainikolo told the court.

"I knew I had hit someone. Minutes later they arrested me, we were walking to the car and I corrected myself - I was Lesley Vainikolo."

'No excuse'

William Hunter, prosecuting, asked Mr Vainikolo if he gave a false name because he had "no excuse" for what he had done.

Mr Vainikolo replied: "I thought the cops were from Bath, and would look after a Bath player.

"It's a real tight-knit community. It was stupid of me."

The court heard earlier this week that someone may have shouted provocative words behind the Tongan-born winger before the incident, on 26 October 2008.

The prosecution alleges he hit Jack Alicker for no reason.

The player, of Cheltenham, was charged following an incident outside the Second Bridge nightclub in Bath's Manvers Street.

The trial continues.