THE jury in the trial of a schoolboy who was battered with a claw hammer in his school playground has heard how the attack was organised via phone calls and text message.

Four teenagers - Wasif Khan, 18, Amjad Qazi, 19, and two boys aged 15 and 16, who cannot be named - are charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on 16-year-old Henry Webster at Ridgeway School last year.

James Patrick, prosecuting told the jury at Bristol Crown Court how a large group of Asian males from Swindon travelled to Wroughton for the fight, which had been co-ordinated through a sequence of phone calls and text messages.

A message recorded from a phone call between a witness and one of the suspects said: "There's a big fat ginger kid who wants a fight at the school."

Another text message said: "Come to the car park at 3.30."

The group arrived at the school and were heard screaming near the tennis courts, the court was told.

Henry was approached by two Asian males before being punched.

When he eventually fell to the ground, he was attacked with the claw hammer and kicked.

A witness, who cannot be named, was alleged to have been involved in conversations leading to the initial fight.

Mr Patrick said: "The boy waited by the courts to watch. He saw the group had driven into the area from the direction of Swindon.

"When they came into the tennis courts they were screaming.

"One of them shouted Come on then'. Henry was being shouted at by the group who were saying not to mess with us'."

After the attack took place, teachers were alerted and ambulances arrived at the scene within minutes.

Henry stayed conscious throughout the ordeal.

After police made arrests, Henry's blood was recovered from the defendants' clothing.

Khan had blood on his left trainer and Levi jeans, indicating he was very close to the scene, the court heard.

The court was later told how Henry's head had been struck with such force that a hammer imprint had been left on his skull.

  • The case continues