Leeds case halted

The trial of Leeds United footballers Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate was today halted and the jury discharged by the judge at Hull Crown Court.

The seven men and four women (correct) had deliberated for just over 21 hours over three days when the judge Mr Justice Poole discharged them today.

The jury in the £8 million trial was considering charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray against Leeds players Jonathan Woodgate, 21, and Lee Bowyer, 24, and Woodgate's friends Paul Clifford and Neale Caveney, both 21.

They had all pleaded not guilty during the ten-week trial at Hull Crown Court.

The four were accused of beating and kicking 20-year-old student Sarfraz Najeib, of Rotherham, following a confrontation and chase in Leeds city centre in January last year.

The jury returned not guilty verdicts last week on a charge of conspiracy to pervert justice against another Leeds player, Michael Duberry, 25, and on Woodgate, Clifford and Caveney.