SPEAKING after the verdicts, the chief investigating officer in the case, Det Sgt Mark Wilkinson, said: "A number of verdicts have been reached in the trial of four people accused of assaulting Henry Webster.

"This has been an extensive investigation and officers working on the case have worked around the clock to ensure the investigation was extremely thorough.

"Almost 1,000 people were spoken to and more than 700 witness statements and video interviews were conducted.

"It has certainly been the largest investigation I have encountered in my career.

"I would like to reassure the community that this was an extremely rare crime and that Swindon is a very safe place in which to live, work and visit.

"Another court case in relation to this crime is due to begin soon and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."