Jordan Storey, a professional footballer hailing from South Petherton, Somerset, is currently on trial following allegations that he assaulted a man at Popworld nightclub in Preston, Lancashire. The incident, which reportedly left the victim with a broken tooth, has brought the Exeter City defender, who has been playing for Preston North End since 2018, into legal proceedings.
The victim, 20-year-old Tomas Watmough, claims that the altercation began around 2 a.m. on January 14, 2024, with a verbal dispute at the bar between Watmough and two individuals from Storey’s group. According to court statements heard at Preston Crown Court, Mr. Watmough attempted to disengage from the confrontation but was approached by Storey, described as “acting aggressively.” Recognizing Storey as a Preston North End player, Watmough identified himself as a supporter in an effort to defuse the tension.
Despite this, Mr. Watmough testified that Storey physically intimidated him, saying: “He towered over me in an aggressive manner. I felt cornered against the bar and unable to get away.” He alleges that Storey then punched him in the mouth, fracturing his front tooth in two places, causing him to stumble back. During the altercation, Storey reportedly ripped the shirt from Watmough’s back and pushed him into a nearby group of women.
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Security personnel removed both men from the club, but Mr. Watmough asserted that Storey pursued him up the street and continued to intimidate him. The next day, Watmough sought dental treatment at St. Annes Dental Clinic, where x-rays confirmed fractures to his upper left front tooth, which eventually had to be extracted. Watmough’s mother subsequently reported the attack to Lancashire Police.
Storey voluntarily attended an interview on March 1, during which he declined to comment on questions but submitted a prepared statement. He claimed that he had been informed Mr. Watmough was threatening and that he approached the man seeking clarification. According to Storey, the interaction escalated, and fearing for his safety, he pushed Watmough away in self-defense. Storey denies the charges of Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) and affray brought against him.
In his defense, solicitor Mark Stephenson suggested that another individual may have inflicted the injury, implying that any punches to Mr. Watmough were delivered by someone else after Storey had pushed him. The trial is scheduled to continue over two days.