A TEENAGER said he agreed to drive to Ridgeway School on the day Henry Webster was attacked with a hammer because he did not want to lose his only friend.

Mizanur Rahman, of Broad Street, who turned 19 on Monday, denied taking part in planning the attack on schoolboy Henry in January last year.

Giving evidence, on day 15 of the second trial, Rahman said he had driven Bilal Yaqub, Faran Yaseen and Aqduss Rauf from Swindon to the Wroughton school in the Renault Megane car.

He said although he only knew Rauf and Yaseen to say hello to, he agreed as a favour to best friend Yaqub.

Rahman, Rauf, 18, of Hereford Lawn, Yaqub, 18, of Nursery View, Faringdon, and five others Roubel Meah, 20, of County Road, Mahbul Ali, 18, of Broad Street, Javad Khan, 20, of Manchester Road, Kumran Khan, 19, of Drove Road, and a 15-year-old who cannot be named, all deny conspiracy to commit actual bodily harm and violent disorder.

Faran Yasseen, 18, of Windsor Road, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Rahman said: "I wasn't 100 per cent sure about wanting to go but because Bilal was my only friend at the time I was prepared to.

"Bilal said something to me. I cannot remember the exact words but he said he needed a lift on behalf of Aqduss Rauf, because (the 15-year-old defendant) was in some kind of trouble and he wanted to make sure he was okay.

"I didn't think about what I was being asked to do. I just thought it would be a normal lift. When Bilal said Faran was coming with us I didn't mind because he was a friend of a friend."

Maths and computing student Rahman told the court: "I'm from a traditional Bangladeshi family.

"I'm expected to do well in my education and always obey the rules set by my parents and respect my elders.

"My parents are really protective of me. I'm not allowed to go outside the house unless I'm going to college or with another member of my family. For example I'm not allowed to go out at night time.

"I'm not allowed to go and kick a ball about in Broadgreen. My father didn't like me going there.

"I'm expected to be home before seven o'clock. I'm not allowed girlfriends."

Linda Strudwick, defending Rahman, asked him: "Did you have any idea three cars were going to Ridgeway School?"

He replied "no".

"Did you have any idea someone or some persons had arranged for a fight at the end of the school day?"

He answered "no".

The case continues.