Student critical after 'prank assault'

First-year Leeds University student Benedict Cadwallader, 19, is thought to have been injured after asking a fellow student to punch him in the face.

Mr Cadwallader, a former pupil at Ampleforth College, the catholic boarding school in North Yorkshire, suffered serious head injuries in the early-morning incident.

Fellow university students have described what happened as "drunken tomfoolery" and "just a horrible accident".

Mr Cadwallader, who is believed to be a talented academic and

sportsman, was last night critical but stable in Leeds General

Infirmary a week after the incident at about 2am in G block at Devonshire Hall hall of residence in Headingley, Leeds.

Police said two men, both aged 19, had been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily. Both have been bailed pending further inquiries.

It is believed that Mr Cadwallader and his friends had been drinking in the Bourbon Club in Leeds city centre.

Police urged anyone who witnessed the assault, or who attended the Bourbon club, to contact them.

A university spokesman said: "We are sorry to confirm that one of our students has been injured in an incident."