British football star turned tough-guy Hollywood actor Vinnie Jones was in a South Dakota court on Thursday to defend himself against assault charges.

Jones (44) was hospitalized after he was hit in the face with a beer mug during a December bar brawl which broke out after he tried to join a game of pool in the small town of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Witnesses said at the time that Jones took offense when one of the men identified him as Juggernaut from 'X-Men: The Last Stand', which he apparently took as a slight against his more significant roles.

His lawyer told the court that Jones was acting in self-defense when he punched Juan Trevino Barrera as the actor was being taken to the bathroom to clean up.

"Vinnie Jones used very reasonable force in an attempt to protect himself when he finally could," Peter Wold said during opening statements.

Wold also criticised Barrera, who is currently in jail on drug charges, for selling his story to a tabloid and got him to acknowledge that he'd make more money if Jones is convicted.

Barrera is also suing Jones for lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering.

A Sioux Falls police officer told jurors Jones was arrested because he admitted he did not feel immediately threatened by Barrera but instead punched him for heckling and taunting him over his accent.

"(Jones) said Juan Barrera made a statement: 'Have you had enough, old man?" Chris Treadway testified.

A man who works for the pheasant hunting lodge that hosted Jones testified that Jones was sober and upbeat when they arrived at the bar that night to listen to a band.

"He bought a round of drinks and I definitely remember him not having one and he was dancing at one point," Brett Buxton said.

Jones faces up to a year in jail and $1000 fine if convicted of three alternate counts of simple assault, a misdemeanor.

After a football career in which he developed a brutal "hard man" reputation, Jones debuted as an actor in 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'. His other film credits include 'Snatch' and 'Gone in Sixty Seconds'.

AFP