Three Leeds United footballers kicked and punched an
Asian student in an attack of "shocking violence" that left him unconscious, a British court was told today.
One group of young men, including Leeds reserve forward Tony Hackworth, ended an evening of heavy drinking in January 2000 by chasing Sarfraz Najeib and his friends, and beating him senseless, prosecuting lawyer Nicholas Campbell told the court in Hull, 80 kilometres east of Leeds.
A second group, comprising Leeds midfielder Lee Bowyer and defender Jonathan Woodgate, "were seen to join the attack by kicking and punching him with some considerable force", Campbell said.
Najeib, then 19, suffered a broken leg, broken ribs and severe head injuries after an attack in Leeds city centre.
Bowyer, 24, Woodgate, 21, and Hackworth, 20, face charges of affray and of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Woodgate also faces a charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Defender Michael Duberry, 25, is charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. All four deny the charges.
Reuters