Leeds United reserve player Tony Hackworth walked free from court today after being cleared of involvement in a violent attack on an Asian student in January of last year.
The 20-year-old striker was formally found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray, and was discharged following legal submissions at Hull Crown Court.
The prosecution had told the court that Hackworth, defender Jonathan Woodgate, 21, and midfielder Lee Bowyer, 24, were in a group of men who kicked and punched Sarfraz Najeib unconscious in Leeds.
A paramedic said he spoke to Hackworth after the late night incident and recalled how the player looked like "American Pie" film actor Chris Klein.
Andrew Finn said the man told him he had tried to stop the fight. Hackworth had a ripped shirt and seemed "excited", Finn said.
In a statement to police Hackworth, who joined Leeds United in 1996 as a trainee and has played for the England under-16s and under-18s, said he had not been involved in any trouble.
Woodgate, Bowyer and two other men still face assault charges. Team mate Michael Duberry, 25, is accused of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice as is Woodgate.
The five men deny the charges.
The trial in Hull, 80 kms east of Leeds in northern England, is in its sixth week. Najeib, now 20, suffered serious injuries in the attack and told the court he was still nervous about going out at night. - Reuters