Woodgate 'kicked out' at youths

Leeds United footballer Jonathan Woodgate kicked out at a group of Asian youths during a street brawl, a court was told yesterday.

Andrew Clarke, a window cleaner, told Hull Crown Court that he saw the England international miss with his kick and fall over, before jumping to his feet and throwing "wild punches" at the Asian group.

Mr Woodgate, 21, and a group of white youths then chased one of the Asians down Mill Hill, Leeds, said Mr Clarke.

Mr Woodgate, of Middlesbrough, Lee Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, and Paul Clifford and Neale Caveney, both 22 and from Middlesbrough, are accused of assaulting Sarfraz Najeib, 21, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, in January last year.

The four all deny grievous bodily harm with intent, and deny affray. The trial continues.