THE four teenagers accused of attacking Henry Webster have been branded liars by the prosecution.

Barristers in the case made their closing speeches at Bristol Crown Court yesterday.

James Patrick, for the prosecution, told the jury: "It is four weeks since I told you what this case was about.

"What this case hangs on, is are you sure so far as each of these defendants is concerned that each was part of that joint plan, that joint attack? You know some witnesses have lied. Amjad Qazi admitted he has lied. (The 15-year-old), he lied and (the 16-year-old) while he has not given his evidence to you, his case is that he lied.

"Henry heard it would be one-on-one, but privately the troops were being rounded up, rounded up to fight.

"Henry arrives at the scene and waits, then the mob arrives. They are there to dish out revenge, because (the 15-year-old) apparently has been beaten up.

"There was a suggestion from the older adults that's what they had been told.

"The adult Asians and the younger Asian pupils were all joining in, all taking part in this cowardly attack on Henry Webster."

He added: "What evidence is there of any of them stopping, pulling the hammer man away? Both of the pupils joined in the gratuitous punching and kicking, both while Henry was being attacked and after. When Wasif Khan was interviewed he made no comment.

"Then he gives his explanation to you, about a year later, after he knew what the evidence was against him.

"He said I was just 17, I was scared.

"Was he just trying to squeeze the round peg of his case into the square hole of the prosecution evidence."

In his closing speech Peter Henry, representing Khan, said: "In this case we have seen a cut-throat defence. In this case where the defendants blame each other, it is common sense that each will have his interests at heart.

"You are bound to approach the evidence of both these young men with considerable scepticism.

"I am not going to tell you what a nice boy he is and why you should believe him. I'm going to ask you to look at the evidence and decide if the prosecution has proved him guilty."

Robin Shellard, representing Qazi, also made his final argument to the court.

"Many of you may have looked at the papers this morning and read about Grange Hill. All of us at one stage or another were in fights at school. The sort of things out behind the bike sheds after school.

"What happened that day was a lot more than that.

"I know you will all want to impose justice for Henry Webster. We all want justice, but it doesn't mean there should be an injustice for one or more of these defendants."

The trial continues.