HENRY Webster was attacked with a claw hammer on the tennis courts of Ridgeway School, Wroughton, on January 11, 2007.

During the assault he was also punched and kicked as he lay on the ground bleeding.

A large number of pupils and parents are believed to have witnessed the incident, which took place as students made their way home at around 4pm.

Sixteen people have been charged in connection with the assault.

Wasif Khan, 18, of Caversham Close, Amjad Qazi, 19, of Broad Street, a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons have all pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and conspiracy to cause GBH.

The trial at Bristol Crown Court is expected to last up to six weeks.

The trial continues.

The case has been split into two trials to make it easier to manage, and is being heard in Bristol so jurors will not have prior knowledge of the incident or Ridgeway school.

The second trial will be held in February. Kamren Khan, 19, Javed Khan, 20, Mizanur Rahman, 20, Roubel Meah, 20, Aqduss Rauf, 18, Bilal Yaqub, 18, Mahbob Ali, 18, and two youths who cannot be named are accused of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm for their involvement in planning the attack.

Since the assault on Henry, the school has stepped up security, improving CCTV camera coverage, building a higher fence and blocking access through the tennis court.