A barrister who exposed himself while giving a best man’s speech at a wedding reception later launched a ferocious attack on a guest who gave him a dressing down, a court was told.

After his speech, Christopher Dunn, 40, was told by David Baird-Dean, a fellow guest, that his actions had been inappropriate given that the audience included a 13-year-old girl.

Mr Dunn then attacked Mr Baird-Dean, 48, pinning him down on the ground and punching him repeatedly in the face, Preston Crown Court was told. A consultant surgeon said that the injuries, which required reconstructive surgery, were consistent with having been struck with a baseball bat. Richard Haworth, for the prosecution, said that the barrister, who lives in Leeds, had misjudged the audience at the reception at the Harefield Hall Hotel, at Pateley Bridge, near Harrogate in North Yorkshire.

Mr Haworth said that Mr Dunn had exposed himself after being asked by a guest if he had a tattoo of a white rose under his shirt. Mr Dunn then allegedly unzipped his trousers and said: “I’ll show you a rose.”

Mr Baird-Dean, a mechanic, told the court that he had pulled Mr Dunn away. He told the court: “It is not something you would expect at a wedding.” He added that Mr Dunn, who denies grievous bodily harm and grievous bodily harm with intent, later proceeded to “beat the living daylights” out of him.

The trial continues.

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