November 17

November 17, 2001 (Saturday) from Jonathan Woodgate Club

Leeds player refused to do ID parade

Leeds United footballers Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer both refused to take part in ID parades after an attack on a student, a court has been told.

Hull Crown Court has heard the players told police they would not appear before a barman who had witnessed the street attack on 21-year-old Sarfraz Najeib.

The trial was told the barman later picked out both the men after viewing a videotape compiled by police, showing the footballers, each alongside eight volunteers.

Acting Inspector Norman Knubley said he had met Woodgate with his solicitor in the Leeds United boardroom on February 1 last year - just over two weeks after the attack in Leeds city centre following a confrontation outside a nightclub.

Inspector Knubley said he was handed a statement by the players' solicitor in which Woodgate said when police first saw him six days after the attack he told them he was happy to take part in an identification parade.

He believed the witness - who had not referred to him by name or as a Leeds United footballer - was mistaken on the night and it was an opportunity for Woodgate to confirm he was mistaken.

But Woodgate said that since then his photograph had appeared in every national newspaper and on television. "I am not satisfied the identification parade will not simply be confirming my identity as a football player rather than an offender responsible for this attack." he said in a statement.

Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, England under-21 international Bowyer, 24, from Leeds, and Paul Clifford and Neale Caveney, both 22 and from Middlesbrough deny causing Mr Najeib grievous bodily harm with intent on January 12 last year. They also deny affray.

Inspector Knubley said he met Bowyer's solicitors on January 28 and they told him the player had and would co-operate fully with police.

His solicitor added: "However, due to extensive media coverage ensuing his arrest, no identification procedure could or would be fair. Accordingly he is not prepared to consent to any."

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