Woodgate denies role in street attack

Leeds United's Jonathan Woodgate has denied taking part in a street attack on an Asian student.

He told a jury at Hull Crown Court that he had seen fighting near the spot where Sarfraz Najeib, 20, was beaten senseless in Leeds city centre but added he had not become involved.

England international Woodgate said he had run after his friends and a group of Asians after trouble started outside a nightclub but he then fell over and injured his ankle.

He said: "I heard a load of shouting coming from Mill Hill. I hobbled down there to see what was going on. I could see a lot of people down there throwing punches and throwing kicks."

Woodgate went on: "I was holding my ankle. I couldn't make out what was going on and who was doing what." He said that none of his friends were involved but admitted that he did not know who was fighting.

The alleged victim Sarfraz Najeib was in the public gallery of the packed court as Woodgate was called to give evidence.

Mr Sumner said that there had been evidence from a window cleaner that Woodgate had fallen when he aimed a kick at an Asian. Woodgate denied this.

He also denied that afterwards he was 'scrapping and fighting' with an Asian at the side of his lorry.

Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, Neale Caveney and Paul Clifford, both 21, of Middlesbrough, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Najeib in January last year. They also deny affray.

Woodgate, Caveney and Clifford, with Leeds United defender Michael Duberry, 24, of Leeds, also plead not guilty to conspiring to pervert the course of justice after the attack.