December 11

December 11, 2001 (Tuesday) from Sportinglife

Stars' jury resumes deliberations

The jury in the Leeds United footballers' trial began its second day of deliberations on Tuesday.

The seven women and five men first retired on Monday afternoon and spent less than an hour considering verdicts on the assault charges against soccer stars Jonathan Woodgate, Lee Bowyer and two other men before being sent home for the night.

England defender Woodgate and former England under-21 captain Bowyer are accused of taking part in a street attack in Leeds city centre in which a 21-year-old student was left with injuries including a broken nose and cheekbone and a fractured leg.

Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, and Paul Clifford and Neale Caveney, both 22 and from Middlesbrough, deny causing Sarfraz Najeib grievous bodily harm with intent. They also deny affray.

The prosecution allege that Mr Najeib and his friends were chased through the city centre following a confrontation outside the Majestyk nightclub in City Square. The Leeds Metropolitan University student, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was caught in Mill Hill where he was attacked.

Woodgate, Clifford and Caveney have told the jury they took no part in the attack. They claim to have watched an incident from the top of Mill Hill.

Bowyer has told the court he did not enter Mill Hill that night because he was assaulted in Boar Lane and was left dazed before making his way back to the Majestyk.

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