A teenager who claims he was ‘hit in the face’ with a wooden pole by BBC TV presenter Ashley Blake was a ‘peacemaker’ according to his friends.

Witnesses told a jury at Birmingham Crown Court that Greg Jones, 18, didn’t do anything to provoke the alleged attack by the Midlands Today newsreader following an 18th birthday party being held at Blake’s former restaurant The Place 2B in Sutton Coldfield.

Blake, who ran the venue with partner Jessica Hayes but has since left, denies wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and unlawful wounding during the incident in the early hours of January 25.

He also pleaded not guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice by throwing the patio umbrella pole -measuring 3ft - into a neighbouring garden centre in an attempt to conceal it from police.

Kristofer Cornfield, 19, who attended the function told the court he saw Blake hit his friend with a wooden pole after 17-year old Adam Finn was punched and left unconscious by customer Steven Sproule.

The jury has been told Sproule, 38, of Booths Farm Road, Great Barr, has pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Mr Cornfield said he was waiting for a taxi outside when he saw the violence break out.

“I didn’t hear anything, I just turned round and saw Sproule run and punch Adam and he fell to the ground.” said Mr Cornfield.

“We were trying to wake Adam. Everyone started shouting. I then saw Greg start walking towards the walkway and talking to people telling them to go.

"I saw Ashley Blake with the bouncer and his friends. He was holding a weapon behind his head and shouting at people to go away. At first I thought it was a baseball bat then I realised it was a wooden pole.

“Greg was trying to calm people down. I saw him go up to Blake, who turned round and smacked him in the face.

“I don’t know what Greg said but he is not an aggressive person at all. He is always the peacemaker if anything happens.

“I was sad and angry and annoyed I couldn’t do anything to help my friend.”

Earlier in proceedings Greg Jones, who was 17 at the time, described the incident. He told the court he had walked to where Blake was standing and asked for an ambulance.

“I didn’t get a response,” said Mr Jones, who said he had drunk a bottle of beer and five pints at the party.

“He was just not bothered, I think he was aggravated by all that was going on.”

Mr Jones said Blake then came towards the group “swinging a bat”. He said: “He was holding the bat upright and with both hands he looked at me, threatened me with it and then swung and hit me.”

Sophie Coffey, 18, was one of several people who called police. Her 999 call describing a massive fight where glasses and bottles were being thrown was played out in court.

“I moved back to call the police, things were being thrown. Ashley Blake disappeared then came back holding a weapon which looked like a baseball bat. He had it on his right over shoulder,” said Miss Coffey, who said she was ‘not drunk’ after consuming three vodka drinks.

She added: “Once people saw Greg’s face was bad it got further out of hand - people could not see why Ashley Blake had done that when Greg had done nothing to provoke it.”

Mr Jones was taken to Good Hope Hospital and later Selly Oak Hospital where he received stitches.

The trial continues.