A SEVENTH teenager has been charged in connection with the hammer attack on 15-year-old Ridgeway School pupil Henry Webster.

At Gablecross police station last night, the 18-year-old, from Broad Street, was charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He is the second adult to be charged, along with Amjad Qazi, 18, also of Broad Street. The other five are all youths.

All seven teenagers have been charged with the same offence and they are all yet to enter a plea.

The latest man to be charged is due to appear at Swindon Magistrates' Court on April 5.

Webster, pictured, was allegedly kicked and stamped on by a group of youths in the Wroughton school tennis courts on January 11.

It is alleged he was hit on the head at least six times with a claw hammer as he lay helpless on the ground.

Det Sgt Mark Wilkinson, of Swindon CID, who is leading the investigation, says it is possible further arrests could still be made in connection with the vicious attack.

"Our inquiries are still continuing," he said.

"This charge shows things are still progressing.

"We anticipate further developments in the coming weeks."

Police have been working their way through piles of evidence, including more than 120 statements.

Det Sgt Wilkinson urged anyone with information who has not yet come forward to do so.

"We have still got information coming in and we still want people to talk to us," he said.

Webster suffered permanent brain damage after the attack and he is still not able to return to school.

"Henry is still at home and he is obviously still suffering the effects," Det Sgt Wilkinson said.

"The attack is going to have a lasting impact on his life and his education."

Emotions were running high in the aftermath of the attack.

The far right British National Party leafleted the area in a bid to capitalise on the incident.

At one point they even threatened to man the school gates, regardless of what teachers and governors thought.

Azim Khan, a spokesman for the Thamesdown Islamic Association, called on different communities in the town to pull together.

Anyone with information on the attack should call the Operation Dakota Incident Room at Gablecross police station on 0845 408 7000.