Former boxer David Haye grabbed a man by the throat and threatened to kill him during a comedy show, a court has heard.

Haye, 41, is accused of assaulting Nickesh Jhala halfway through Paul Chowdry’s comedy set at Hammersmith Apollo in London on 30 October 2021.

Prosecuting, Jonathan Bryan told Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday that Mr Jhala, his cousin and his girlfriend had been moved to better seats during the interval.

Giving evidence, Mr Jhala said that he was talking about how pleased they were to have been moved forward when Haye approached him.

“He leans down to me, starts speaking into my ear and puts his hand around my throat,” he told the court.

Mr Jhala claimed Haye said to him: “Say one more word and I am going to kill you.”

CCTV footage shows Haye stepping over Mr Jhala’s seat and bending over to talk to him.

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The alleged victim said he was not hurt but “felt threatened” and was “shaking”.

Defending, James Scobie KC said Haye did not put his hands around Mr Jhala’s throat.

“Our unequivocal case is ‘hand on shoulder’ at most, and no threats to kill, ever,” he told the court.

Group ‘tried to get a rise’ out of Haye

Mr Scobie added that Mr Jhala’s cousin, who was a boxing fan, had asked for Haye’s autograph but been refused.

After that, he claims the pair began discussing Haye’s career, mentioning other boxers such as Amir Khan and Tony Bellew.

Bellew beat Haye on both occasions the pair fought – in 2017 and 2018.

The comments were designed to “get a rise out of him”, Mr Scobie said.

Mr Jhala and his cousin also commented that Haye’s girlfriend “must love the brothers”, meaning she is attracted to black men, Mr Scobie said.

At this point, Haye and his lawyers claim he said to Mr Jhala: “Don’t talk about me or my girlfriend anymore, that’s enough.

“Otherwise I will have you thrown out.”

Mr Jhala denies this version of events. The trial continues.

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