A NORTH-EAST man jailed following a court case involving two Leeds United footballers is seeking leave to appeal against his conviction and six-year prison sentence.
Paul Clifford, 22, from Middlesbrough, was found guilty at Hull Crown Court last December of inflicting grievous bodily harm and affray during an attack on student Sarfraz Najeib.
Leeds United footballers Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate were also charged in connection with the attack, in Leeds city centre in January 2000.
Bowyer was found not guilty of both grievous bodily harm and affray, while Woodgate was acquitted of causing grievous bodily harm but convicted of affray, for which he was given a 100-hour community punishment order.
Another man, Neale Caveney, 22, was found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm but convicted of affray and ordered to do 100 hours community service.
A spokeswoman for the Royal Courts of Justice in London confirmed that Clifford's challenge was against both conviction and sentence.
The case will initially be considered by a High Court judge, who will decide whether Clifford will be allowed to appeal, which would mean a full hearing in front of three judges.
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