Woodgate 'told Duberry he had been in fight'
Leeds United footballer Michael Duberry has told a court Jonathan Woodgate admitted to him he had been in a fight with a group of Asians on the night an Asian student was attacked.
Duberry, 25, also told the jury at Hull Crown Court that his team mate admitted that his friend Paul Clifford had "bitten one of the lads".
The former Chelsea centre half told the court that following the attack, he had met up with Woodgate near the Majestyk nightclub in Leeds.
"He (Woodgate) said they had just had a fight with some Asians," said Duberry.
His barrister, Clare Montgomery, asked: "Did you realise at that stage how serious Sarfraz Najeib had been injured?" Duberry replied: "No I did not have a clue."
Duberry told the court he had a further conversation with Woodgate about the fight: "He said his mate, Clifford, had bitten one of the lads."
Duberry told the jury that Woodgate was his best friend and had been on holiday with him in the summer. He said: "Only last night I decided to make the decision to take the stand. It's not been easy at all."
As Mr Justice Poole gave the jury directions not to speak to anyone about the case, Duberry stood with his head bowed, wiping his eyes. He had denied at any stage offering to destroy any incriminating clothing.
Sarfraz Najeib, 20, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, suffered serious injuries including a broken leg and fractured cheekbone in the attack in January last year.
England international Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, Lee Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, Paul Clifford, 21, of Middlesbrough, and Neale Caveney and Paul Clifford, both 21, of Middlesbrough deny causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Najeib of Rotherham, South Yorkshire. They also deny affray.
Woodgate, Caveney, Clifford and Duberry also plead not guilty to conspiring to pervert the course of justice after the attack.
