An 'intoxicated' financial advisor today admitted drinking wine and at least five pints before a fight broke out with a family who he claims had his girlfriend 'pinned to the floor' at a late-night buffet.
Paul Evans, 45, has denied kicking 21-year-old Alice Gardner 'like he was taking a penalty' when a brawl erupted onboard the P&O Royal Britannia in July 2019.
Evans today told Southampton Crown Court that he was making camomile tea for himself and his girlfriend Tabatha Young when he spotted her being 'pinned' to the ground in the Horizon buffet.
The man claims he ran over to 'save' Young, 43, who interviews boxers on YouTube and has admitted to causing actual bodily harm, and 'wrestled' two men to stop her from being 'beaten up.'
Evans is accused of assaulting Justin Gardner, his nurse wife Sarah and daughter Alice after he was overheard saying he wanted to 's***' and 'f***' in front of their 16-year-old daughter.
Paul Evans (above outside court), 45, has denied kicking 21-year-old Alice Gardner 'like he was taking a penalty' when a brawl erupted onboard the P&O Royal Britannia in July 2019
Evans today told Southampton Crown Court that he was making camomile tea for himself and his girlfriend Tabatha Young (above) when he spotted her being 'pinned' to the ground
The fight was allegedly sparked when the family asked Evans to stop swearing as they dined at a late-night buffet during the cruise through the Norwegian fjords.
Jurors heard how an 'intoxicated' Evans had consumed a glass of red wine with his dinner and 'no more than five pints' at a family disco he attended before the buffet.
He admitted he was 'drunk' at the time of the alleged brawl.
Evans told the court he had wrestled with Mr Gardner and another passenger - Andrew Irving - but denied attacking either of the two women involved.
Recounting the evening, Evans said he attended a black tie event and danced in the ship's Live Lounge with Young, who he had been dating for a year and a half.
At around 12.30am, Evans decided to 'call it a night' and suggested the pair get a pint of camomile tea from the Horizon 24-hour buffet on Deck 16, the court heard.
Evans, who previously worked for the firm Brite Advisors, said: 'I just thought let's get some tea and to go bed. Then I saw [Young] sit down with three guys.
Prosecution say this CCTV image shows Evans' first attempt at throwing Justin Gardener's phone into the sea, which fails
'She was a bit drunk. She was just chatting to [one of the teenagers]. I thought it was a bit rude actually.'
Southampton Crown Court previously heard how Young had been 'rabbiting away' and was asking one of the young men about his sexuality.
Evans said: 'I said "You can't talk to people like that". She said "Oh, he doesn't give a f***".'
Alice then came over and asked those at the table to stop swearing as they were making other guests in the buffet 'uncomfortable', the court heard.
Evans said: 'The girl was polite. I
