A VERDICT has been reached in the hammer attack trial - but the Advertiser cannot tell you what it is.

Judge Carol Hagen put a gagging order on any publicity revealing the jury's decision in case it prejudiced a second trial involving the attack, due to start later this month.

On legal advice the Adver challenged the postponement order in the interests of open justice but Judge Hagen insisted there could be a danger of influencing the jury of the second trial if they knew the verdicts.

Henry Webster, pictured, was attacked with a hammer during a playground battle at Ridgeway School in Wroughton in January last year.

Wasif Khan, 18, of Caversham Close, Amjad Qazi, 19, of Broad Street, and two boys aged 15 and 16 were charged with wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.

The two juveniles pleaded guilty to violent disorder, admitting they kicked and punched 15-year-old Henry as he lay on the ground. But Khan and Qazi pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Kamren Khan, 19, Javed Khan, 20, Mizanur Rahman, 20, Roubel Meah, 20, Aqduss Rauf, 18, Bilal Yaqub, 18, Mahbob Ali, 18, and two youths who cannot be named will stand trial for conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm on February 25.

The five women and seven men on the jury at Bristol Crown Court spent more than 14 hours deliberating. They had spent five weeks listening to evidence from witnesses.