An Asian student told a court in England today how he ran for his life as he was chased by a group of Leeds United footballers.
Mr Sarfraz Najeib had left the Majestyk night club in Leeds City Centre when he was knocked to the ground by a man, the court heard.
Mr Najeib told the jury at Hull Crown Court that he had earlier seen the men drinking champagne in the night club.
After he left the club one of the group punched him, sending his glasses flying.
"One of the guys said something to me and after a few seconds hit me round the back of the head," said Mr Najeib.
"I fell to the ground and my glasses went flying. I quickly turned round and saw a guy coming towards me and in self-defence I hit him back.
"I thought he was going to hit me again. I jumped up to my feet and heard my brother shouting run.
The Leeds Metropolitan University student suffered serious injuries in the alleged assault in Mill Hill in January last year. The court has heard he was repeatedly kicked and punched as he lay unconscious on the ground.
Mr Shahzad Najeib told the jury that he went to see his brother lying on the floor after the assault. "He was lifeless - I thought he was dead," he said.
He told the court that three or four white males were attacking his brother and two men attacked him.
He said he could not identify any of the attackers who then left the scene.
He said: "They were just beating him around his head and face... I could tell there was severe damage being done to him. They were basically kicking and stamping on him."
Leeds United footballers Lee Bowyer, Jonathan Woodgate and Tony Hackworth, all deny causing Mr Najeib grievous bodily harm with intent.
They also deny affray.
Two other men, Paul Clifford and Neale Caveney also deny causing grievous bodily harm and affray.
Woodgate, Caveney and Clifford, together with Leeds United player Michael Duberry, also deny conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
PA