A TEENAGER standing trial for the murder of a taxi driver denied taking part in any stage of his attack.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, gave evidence at Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

The youth, two 17-year-olds and 18-year-olds Graeme Slavin and Christopher Murphy deny killing Lockwood Taxis driver Mohammed Parvaiz at Field Head on July 22.

The young defendant told jurors he did not take part in the plan to attack the 42-year-old, who was ambushed as he arrived to pick up a false fare.

He also denied being involved in the attack on either the taxi or the driver.

He said: "I did not throw any stone at the taxi."

The teenager did admit that he had been present in Field Head on the night of the father-of-three's killing.

Bu he denied acting as a lookout for the other defendants.

The court heard that the defendant was born in Huddersfield and lived with his grandparents.

He said he had taken his GCSEs in the summer and planned an Army career.

He admitted: "I haven't been to collect the results. I have been worried about coming to court and giving evidence on something that's so horrific."

The teenager said he knew both 17-year-olds through Cubs.

He said he used to play basketball with Slavin and met Murphy at a friend's house.

The teenager said in the month before the attack on Field Head he spent a lot of time at a flat in which the defendants stayed.

He said he went round to help Hand, who had pleaded guilty, move in his belongings and buy cannabis from Murphy.

He denied being part of the group's disagreement with a rival group of Asian males on June 10 and 11.

The defendant's counsel, Henry Grunwald, asked: "Were you aware of any ongoing hostility with any Asian taxi drivers? Were you aware of any talk of revenge on a taxi firm or a taxi driver?"

The defendant said: "No, I was not."

Earlier in yesterday's trial Slavin admitted changing his clothes after the attack, but said he always changed his clothes when he got home because of dog hairs.

He denied bragging about the attack and said he asked Hand why he attacked the driver.

Slavin said he told the 16-year-old defendant about Mr Parvaiz: "He'll be all right, because Michael Hand knows his limits."

Slavin admitted not telling police that he had removed his clothing.

He said he did not tell his solicitor that he lifted the victim's shoulder with his foot until after he was granted bail.

Slavin also denied acting as a lookout for his co-accused on the night of July 22.

Adrian Waterman, prosecuting, said: "The details were finalised at the top of that avenue.

"Your part was to get a stone that was big enough to stop the taxi."

The defendant replied: "No, nobody else knew what I was going to do."

Mr Waterman added: "You all swung to action, you played your part, all of you, in this attack.

"It (the plan) was to beat up Mr Parvaiz, and you too, when you got back, felt it was mission accomplished."

Slavin said: "No, that's not true."

The trial continues.