FIVE MORE men walked free from court in the case of an amateur rugby league player who was hit by a car following a 40-man brawl.
The disturbance at the Royal Hotel on Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe, in October 2003 ended with former Dewsbury Celtic player Lee Massey, 30, critically ill in hospital after being struck by a car.
He later left hospital and is still recovering.
Two other men also suffered stab wounds.
But now only two out of the original ten men charged with offences relating to the car park punch-up which saw up to 40 Iraqi Kurds clash with a group of local men are still on trial.
Ari Karim, Jaza Karim, Bahgat Mohamad Fayzulla, Najit Omar Majid were acquitted of violent disorder and left the court.
Some nodded as Judge Alistair McCallum told the court he had decided the cases against them could not proceed as there was insufficient or unreliable evidence.
There had been particular problems with witnesses picking out volunteers in police identity parades as well as those who had allegedly been involved in the incident.
He added: "If the quality of identification evidence is poor, for a number of factors, it is my obligation to withdraw the cases from my jury and direct acquittals and I will do so."
This follows events last week when Hawker Mahmood, Herish Adel Wali and Saman Ahmed were also acquitted of violent disorder.
Only Mohsen Sadiq and Bestoon Mohammed remain on trial.
Mohammed still faces charges of violent disorder and wounding with intent.
A further charge of wounding against him was thrown out yesterday.
Sadiq is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent after allegedly driving a car at dad-of-one Mr Massey during the fracas.
The trial continues.
