TWO more teenagers have been charged in connection with a hammer attack on 15-year-old Ridgeway pupil Henry Webster.

The development means 16 people are now facing court as a result of the attack.

Henry was left with brain damage when he was repeatedly hit with a claw hammer in the tennis courts of the Wroughton school on January 11.

As previously reported in the Adver seven people were charged on Friday.

Two 17-year-olds, one from Lawn and one from Faringdon, were charged with conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm yesterday.

Det Sgt Mark Wilkinson, of Swindon CID, who is leading the investigation, said: "Obviously the investigation is continuing and we have a huge amount of evidence and information so there could be more significant changes in the future."

More than 250 witnesses are involved in the case, many of whom are children.

Seven people have already appeared in court in connection with the assault.

Amjad Qazi, 19, and Mohammed Amin, 18, both of Broad Street, and five younger boys, two aged 16, one 15-year-old and two 14-year-olds, have already pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

The nine who have now been charged since then are due to appear at Swindon Magistrates' Court on June 14.

The seven who were charged on Friday are two 20-year-olds, a 19-year-old, two 18-year-olds and two youths aged 17 and 14.

All but one are from the Broad Green area of town.

Any witnesses to the attack who have not yet come forward should contact Swindon police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.