Soccer: Soccer star 'jumped on unconscious victim'

Three Leeds United footballers launched a shocking attack on a group of Asian students after a drink-fuelled night out, leaving one of them seriously injured, Hull Crown Court was told.

Three Leeds United footballers launched a shocking attack on a group of Asian students after a drink-fuelled night out, leaving one of them seriously injured, Hull Crown Court was told.

One of the footballers, Jonathan Woodgate, who has played for England, was seen jumping on his victim, whose face was also bitten by one of Woodgate's friends, leaving a scar, a jury was told.

Another, England Under-21 midfielder Lee Bowyer was seen hugging a friend in a victory embrace after the assault, it was alleged.

Woodgate, Bowyer and Tony Hackworth were among a group of footballers and friends when trouble erupted outside the Majestyk nightclub in Leeds city centre.

Prosecutor Nicholas Campbell QC, said one of the students, Sarfraz Najeib, 20, was left with serious injuries after the alleged attack in January last year.

The court heard that Leeds team-mate Michael Duberry, 24, drove three of his co-defendants from the scene, although both he and Woodgate deny conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, defender Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, and reserve team striker Hackworth, 20, of Leeds, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Najeib, of Rotherham, south Yorkshire. They also deny affray.

Two other men, Neal Caveney and Paul Clifford, both 21 and from Middlesbrough, deny causing grievous bodily harm, affray and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The group chased a bunch of Asian students from outside the Majestyk club.

Mr Campbell said Sarfraz Najeib recalled being tripped from behind during the chase and falling against a wall.

"From that moment on he recalls nothing, which is perhaps not surprising because during the assault that followed he was kicked repeatedly about the face, head and body and witnesses formed the view that he was still being beaten while unconscious," said Mr Campbell.

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