A close friend of Leeds United star Jonathan Woodgate yesterday denied biting an Asian student during a savage street attack.
Paul Clifford, a former junior boxing champion, told Hull Crown Court: "I am not an animal. I would not bite anyone. If I wanted to hurt someone, I would use my hands.
"I have never bitten anyone. I have never harmed anyone in my life. I have never been in trouble before."
The 21-year-old, from Middlesbrough, a sports sciences student at Teesside University, is accused of biting Sarfraz Najeib during the attack in Leeds city centre in January last year.
The prosecution has alleged that the bite mark on Mr Najeib's right cheek matches Clifford's teeth.
A witness has told the jury that they saw someone biting Mr Najeib's right cheek who then shook his head from side to side "like a dog would" during the attack in Mill Hill.
England international Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, Neale Caveney, 21, of Middlesbrough, and Clifford, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Najeib. They also deny affray.
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