A barman today told a British court trying three Leeds United footballers for serious assault how he saw a gang slam an Asian youth into a dustbin, knock him unconscious and then kick and punch him as he lay defenceless.
The witness, who cannot be named, said today he was leaving work when he saw a group of Asians running down a Leeds street and looking distressed. He said a gang were chasing them and they rounded on one of the Asians.
"He was thrown into a green industrial waste bin and then fell on the ground. A fight followed ... but the Asians seemed overpowered.
"Suddenly two more white lads came round the corner and joined in attacking him. They were kicking and punching him fairly hard. By this time he was unconscious.
Prosecutors told the court in Hull, northern England, last week that the three Leeds players kicked and punched Sarfraz Najeib, now 20, unconscious after leaving a nightclub in Leeds city centre in January 2000.
Defender Jonathan Woodgate, midfielder Lee Bowyer, reserve player Tony Hackworth and two of their friends face jail if they are found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent and affray. All deny the charges.
Leeds player Michael Duberry, Woodgate and the two other defendants are also charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. They deny the charges.
A window cleaner told the court last Friday that he saw Woodgate kick out at an Asian youth and then join in an attack on him and his friends.
In his original statement to police Andrew Clarke, 34, had said he saw a group of men chasing several Asians and that Woodgate slipped, but got up and limped away.
Today, he told the court he did not tell police what he saw because he feared for his family's safety.
Clarke said he had not wanted to become involved in the trial because he feared his three young children would suffer if he testified in court.
"It has caused a lot of trouble for my family ... I have three young children to protect," he said.
Reuters