PA latest from trial late Tuesday PM:

Leeds United footballer Michael Duberry today told a court that his friend and team mate Jonathan Woodgate admitted to him that he had been in a fight with a group of Asians on the night an Asian student was kicked and beaten senseless. Duberry, 25, also told the jury at Hull Crown Court that Woodgate admitted that his close friend Paul Clifford had ``bitten one of the lads''. The former Chelsea centre half told the court that following the attack on Sarfraz Najeib, he had met up with Woodgate near the Majestyk nightclub in Leeds city centre. ``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 told me a bit more about what happened up the road,'' said Duberry. ``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.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

Answers

...the trial continues.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

Going down, going down, going down, going down, going down GOING DOWN

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

They were on holiday together in the summer...

I know, I was there! Do you think I could get called as witness? Maybe I could get on one of those witness protection schemes, aways fancied that, expense accounts in some swanky hotel, chance of new identity (let's face it you wouldn't actually pick this one would you).

I could be sold on the idea...

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

I'v ehard Wakefield and Durham have some des res, with all the latest high tec security measures to keep the criminals out/in

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

At least the resort should be a bit quieter this summer, Dr. Bill! ;-)

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

Durham and Wakefield, nah, been in much better than those. Give me a nice medium secure unit any day.

Doubt I'll be going back to Ayia Napa, Ciara - I was assured that it was a nice sleepy fishing village, but they lied!

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

One Leeds player testifying against another in a GBH trial - this will work wonders for team spirit and moral. What a bloody mess!

Was Duberry not acquitted from a complicity charge earlier in the trial? I guess you have to respect him for now testifying against his team-mate, despite the inevitable consequences - presumably he'll have to move on.

Actually, he's a big bugger - would he be any good for us?

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

The guy deserves a medal - he's probably stuffed his future at Leeds (if he had one with Radebe & Rio)

As to us I don't think he's any better than Dabz although he is English isn't he ?

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

Full marks to Duberry for making what must have been an agonising decision. This whole affair is extremely sordid and I'll be glad when it's all resolved and out of the papers again.

Shortly after the incident in question I heard 3rd hand from a Yorkshireman that the racial element to this incident was coming from the Asians. Not that it makes any difference to anything of course. Beating someone up to that extent for any reason is unpardonable, whether provoked or not.

I presume that a guilty verdict could not result in anything less than jail for an attack of this savagery? If so that's 1 or 2 careers all but wrecked, and Ridsdale said the players would be sacked immediately so a big loss to Leeds as well. I wouldn't have wished this on any of them - least of all the poor Asian lad who got the worst of it. A very sorry tale - and whatever happens, I don't suppose it will stop more such incidents in our major city centres. What a strange species we are.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

Personally, I always thought that Woodgate was the most likely to go down, afterall 18 million is a lot to spend on a centre half when you've got Woodgate and Radebe at the back. I also notice that O'Leary hasn't tried to replace Bowyer.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

Assuming JW does go down, and Duberry is asked decides to leave, that will leave them a bit exposed. Full marks to MD for testifying. BTW Clarky - I don't think it was Duberry who was acquitted - I'm sure it was one of the others.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

Woodgate saying he was in a fight with asians is like ciara saying her and Shearer / Bobby are great mates because she had here photo taken and spoke to them in the US.

Yes, they both happenned, but what was the involvement of the parties.

Note this is not defending Woodgate, but it may be his defence.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

Whatever Al and Bob said...it's simply not true!!

coat, camera, buh-bye ;-))

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

It irritates me that this asian lad is trying to make as much out of it as he can....he's banging on about being too afraid to leave the house and go out again etc which certainly doesn't ring true when you see him almost swagger up to the courthouse each day....

The leeds lads will rightly get whats coming to them, unfortunately the asian lad who possibly started the trouble will walk away and make a fortune.....

This country pisses me right off!

On the subject, I noticed in the press yesterday that a policewoman has put in a 200,000 pound claim for stress after the Rachel Nickel(sp?) wimbledon common murder.....fuck me! that's 20 times as much as most victims of violent crime would get!

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Duberry - well done. At least someone may come out of this sordid business with some dignity. As for the rest, the way they are wriggling is sickening. The crap that the defence came out with was appalling, and I hope they go down for a lot of years.

We had a discussion a month or so ago about talking about this case so yes, I know I'm pre-judging, but anyone with more than one brain cell can sort out the truth in this. Those boys are Scum.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Gav you need to be careful. The Asian guy may well have been pissed, and provocative, but it sounded like Woodgates pals were too. Name calling is not a punishable offence, trying to bite off someones cheek while your mate stamps on him is.

I always had huge discomfort that the guy who got kicked in the chest by Cantona got done for shouting at him.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Mac, as I said the Leeds boys will RIGHTLY get what they deserve if they get sent down, I just wonder if the asian lad will be happy with that or will he try to screw as much money as possible out of a situation which he possibly helped create...

Would that be right? personally I don't think so....

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

So then Gav, Next time you're chased across a city centre by a gang of screaming thugs, knocked to the ground, bitten, abused and kicked senseless, you'll just keep quiet about it will you?

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

If you had abused them before they did this, enticing them to do something then you'd shut up.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

I am still concerned about making specificc comments about this, not least because we only know what is being reported in the newspapers. So just take this as a general observation, being as how West Yorkshire is in my patch.

There is a substantial Asian population in West Yorkshire. They do not feel at home supporting Leeds United, who in fact have a reputation as a rather racist crowd. The great majority therefore support Bradford City, where they are made to feel welcome.

Imagine the Mags-Mackems "rivalry" with an added racial dimension. Doesn't really bear thinking about does it?

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

That's a very interesting insight into this situation that I had no idea about, Dr Bill - thanks for that.

From limited personal experience, the Elland Rd. crowd is one of the most intimidating, and bigoted.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Dread, if thats what you think I said then theres no point getting into a debate about it is there....

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

The trial has been (Weds AM) adjourned for legal submissions after Duberry explained why he had taken so long to change his mind about telling the truth - he said he was told to continue lying by the club's solicitor.

He told the court that he had wanted to come clean after giving a false statement and went to see a solicitor at the offices of Leeds Utd club lawyer - and club director - Peter McCormick. The solicitor advised him to stick to the story he had originally told police...and then called in McCormick, who maintained the same line.

Duberry told the court re McCormick: "He used the word 'perjury' and said: 'Say what is in your statement and stick with it.'"

Very worrying evidence...and, yes, I agree re previous thread on this subject, we should take care in making comments about any of this stuff.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

the lads are guilty, will get 5 years min, and an education

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Wow. hats off to Duberry. He'll be leaving Leeds in an armoured car at this rate.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

yup hat is definitely off to Duberry!

It's actually amazingly refreshing to hear of someone being so bluntly honest instead of trying to commit perjury...

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

A footballer, indeed a human being, with a conscience and personal values. Whow - restores your faith in mankind, especially after Nic Wimbush's Ann Summers party, or whatever it was! ;-{)

Unfortunately, I suspect his refreshing honesty could cause him problems through the rest of his footy career which is certain to be outside of Leeds. The sleaze-balls will be very suspicious of the blerk - sad, eh?

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

What was it Ridsdale said before the trial began? "if they are found guilty they will be sacked" or something along those lines, well I bet he never thought he would have to carry out his threat as surely he will have to when the verdict is reached. Looks like the clubs solicitor has been lying to the directors of the club to me.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

So would you take him to NUFC Clarky as we all suspect he won't be playing for Leeds next season?

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Of all the negative press we have endured I'm sure glad that this is not about two of our players!

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Duberry will get done for his aiding and abetting bit and the others will get off on the GBH, Ridsdale will then sack Duberry as he said he would

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

My limited experience of the judicial system would have me believe that the defendent would surround himself with witnesses to testify to his saintly behavhiour, if they were not able to commit to this, then I would expect them to say nothing.

I would feel most unconfortable with "friends" like Duberry by my side.

Gav's point about the Asian kid making the most of his ordeal is exactly what everybody does in the current trans atlantic litigation fest, people see incidents which are not their fault(even some that are) as windfalls and will make the most of it.

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2001

To be fair to Duberry, a real friend wouldn't put him in a position where he had to lie to protect him.

As for the milking of an incident - very difficult. But the law's job is to ensure the punishment and compensation are fair. And because of the resources at the defendants disposal (top lawyers etc.) it's almost inevitable that the prosecution has to do everything they can to make their case look as bad as possible. If the defendants told the whole truth and presented things exaclty as they were, then the prosecution could do the same. It's a vicious circle.

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2001