Former world champion boxer David Haye is accused of grabbing a man by the throat and threatening to kill him during a comedy gig in west London last October. The alleged incident occurred at the Hammersmith Apollo during the interval of a show by comedian Paul Chowdhry.
Prosecutor Jonathan Bryan told Westminster Magistrates' Court that Haye believed Nickesh Jhala, who was sitting behind him with his girlfriend and cousin, was making derogatory remarks about him and his partner. Bryan said Haye put his hands around Jhala's throat and said if he said anything more, he would kill him.
James Scobie KC, defending, said Haye's case is that he never put his hands around Jhala's throat and did not threaten to kill him. 'Our unequivocal case is 'hand on shoulder', at most, and no threats to kill, ever,' he said.
CCTV footage of the incident shows Haye stepping over his seat and bending to speak to Jhala. Jhala told the court that Haye leaned down, spoke into his ear, and put his hands around his throat, saying: 'Say one more word and I am going to kill you.'
Haye, 41, previously denied assault at Westminster Magistrates' Court. He retired from boxing in 2018, having held three of the four world cruiserweight titles at one point. The court heard that Jhala was not physically hurt but was left 'shaken'.
