Assault case duo are 'remarkable footballers' - jury told

The jury in the trial of two Leeds United players accused of a savage attack on an Asian student has been told to ignore the fact that they are remarkable footballers.

Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer are alleged to have joined in an assault on Sarfraz Najeib.

Mr Najeib, 20, was kicked and beaten senseless in the incident in Leeds city centre in January last year, Hull Crown Court has been told.

Nicholas Campbell QC, in his closing speech for the Crown, warned the jurors not to let their emotions affect their deliberations, but should use the evidence they have heard during the last six weeks.

"Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer are remarkable footballers, amongst the country's best," said Mr Campbell.

He told the jurors that they might think the pair acted violently, were involved in the attack and the subsequent cover-up.

"But to do anything that might interrupt their careers - that would be too harsh for just a few minutes lack of judgment," said Mr Campbell.

"That sort of thought process would not be true to your oaths. You must try to approach this case as carefully and as calmly as you can and come to the verdicts on the evidence itself."

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

Michael Duberry, 25, of Leeds, Woodgate, Clifford and Caveney also deny conspiracy to pervert the course of justice after the attack.