Stoke City footballer Saido Berahino was suspended by the club when he was caught drink-driving as he tried to escape from robbers armed with a gun and a knife, a court has heard.
The 25-year-old was found to be almost three times the drink-drive limit after his black Range Rover was stopped in London’s West End in the early hours of February 18.
Getty Images - Getty
3
Saido Berahino has been found guilty of drink-driving
The Burundi-born striker, who started his career with West Bromwich Albion, told Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court he had driven his car for less than 30 seconds after drinking two mojitos.
But he claimed he only did so because he feared robbers – who had stolen his watch, two diamond chains and a bracelet minutes earlier – would return.
“I was scared. I had just been attacked and obviously my niece was there and I had to take action.
“I had to drive off from the scene,” he said.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
gossip
Transfer news LIVE: Hazard on joining Real Madrid, Sessegnon to leave Fulham
gossip
Chelsea transfer news live: Hazard addresses Blues fans following Real Madrid move
ALLEZ LES BLEUES
France sweep aside South Korea in opening match of 2019 Women's World Cup
PRICELESS POINT
Late Duffy header keeps Ireland unbeaten in Euro 2020 qualifying campaign
DEAL DONE
Real Madrid confirm Eden Hazard signing to end long-running transfer saga
THANK YOU
These Chelsea fans pour their hearts out for 'true legend' Eden Hazard
in the money
Hazard joins Real Madrid and will reportedly double his wages
LET'S GO
Women's World Cup opening ceremony: The best pictures from the party in Paris
ALL SEEMS REAL
Hazard shirts spotted at Real Madrid shop - number he will wear revealed
“They had a knife and a gun as well.”
Berahino said he did not immediately tell police about the robbery after they were called at around 3am to reports of a possible stabbing involving seven people outside VQ Cafe, in Great Russell Street.
“In the past I have been in the media and I didn’t want anything to get out in the media,” he said.
“It would jeopardise my career and I was scared of that,” he said. “It’s had a massive impact on my career. The club has taken a stance on it.
I was suspended from first team action to play for the team. That was the last thing I wanted.”
3
The striker has said he was attacked on a night out
Berahino said he had driven from Birmingham to London with his girlfriend, niece and her boyfriend to eat at the Sumosan Twiga restaurant in Knightsbridge.
He said he had a game the following day and admitted it was a breach of the rules of his club, which forbids players from going on nights out for 48 hours before playing.
Berahino told magistrates ‘I had a couple’ of drinks before his girlfriend drove to the VQ Cafe.
He said her ex-boyfriend was ‘very aggressive’ when he arrived, claiming she owed him £10,000 – then returned later having removed his jewellery and changed his clothes.
Berahino, wearing a black suit, white T-shirt and black shoes with no socks, told the court he was approached by four men, who he did not know, two of whom flashed weapons.
“I can see a knife on one male and the other had a gun – I could see the handle,” he said.
3
The police officer described Berahino as ‘nervous’
“I was scared, shocked. I just wanted to get away from there. I tried to get back in the car but one of them grabbed the door so me and him are fighting back-and-forth, back-and-forth.
“I was afraid for my life and my girlfriend and niece was there. I took a decision to run off because I was scared.”
Berahino said he tripped to the floor and CCTV footage played in court showed him being attacked by two men.
“I tried to cover my face and just telling them take everything, take everything, take everything,” he said.
“I was scared just wondering where my friends are, where my niece is. I panicked, everything happened so fast.”
Berahino said he got back to the car where the rest of his companions were ‘panicked’ and drove for less than 30 seconds to Bedford Square, where he was followed by police.
“At the time I was scared. I didn’t know what to do,” he said.
Pc Stephen Luu said “his eyes appeared red and he appeared really nervous,” adding: “As I got closer to him, I could actually smell alcohol on his breath.
“I did ask him if he had been drinking, and he replied, ‘yes, just one’.”
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- Leeds vs Derby (Wednesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
- Portsmouth vs Sunderland (Thursday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Charlton vs Doncaster (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Manchester City vs Watford (Saturday, 5pm) – talkSPORT
Pc Luu said Berahino looked ‘confused’ when he asked him about blood on his hand and realised his T-shirt was ripped when he told him to get out of the vehicle.
Pc Oliver Clixby said the footballer’s ‘eyes were bloodshot’, and his speech ‘was rather slurred.’
The court heard he was asked to breathe into a breathalyser, which showed he had 112mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
Pc Clixby said that when he was arrested, Berahino replied: “This is bullshit.”
At the police station, Berahino was found to be almost three times the drink-drive limit, with 103mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the court heard.
The legal limit is 35mg.
Berahino, of Old Penkridge Road, Staffordshire, denies one count of drink-driving.
He joined Stoke for an initial £12 million in January 2017 from West Brom, where he served a suspension shortly before the move.
Berahino played at youth level for England but switched to the Burundi international side, making his debut last year.
Hodgson got Liverpool's Kacaniklic mixed up with ex-Ross County ace Cooper as he 'accidentally sold wrong player' to Fulham ROY HODGSON has been accused of selling the wrong player by
Roy Hodgson 'sold the wrong player by mistake' at Liverpool
SAINTS STAR In-form midfielder has been called into the squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro James Ward-Prowse deserves a place in the England squad thanks to his 'outstanding' performances for Southampton, says St Mary's legend Matt Le Tissier.
Apex Legends Just Launched Battle Pass and a New Character
Transfer news: Every Premier League club's is most likely signing this summer, according to odds by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 18 May The transfer window opened this week to little fanfare and soon all Premier League clubs will be making signings.
Transfer news: Every Premier League club's is most likely
Top goalscorers in Europe: Which strikers are over/under
~ Roberto Firmino: Incredible statistic shows just how good the Liverpool forward has been in the Champions League ~ Kenya Latest
Roberto Firmino: Incredible statistic shows just how good the
Manchester United transfer news: Red Devils 'interested' in promising Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff after breakthrough season Sean Longstaff is a summer transfer target for
Manchester United transfer news: Red Devils 'interested' in
Arsenal Reveal Reason for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's Absence From Squad for Wolves Clash Arsenal have revealed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was omitted from the squad to face Wolves on Wednesday night after he underwent a small sinus procedure.
Arsenal Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs
Premier League kits 2019-20: Find out the latest strips to be worn by Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and all other teams for next season. Liverpool and Chelsea released new home kits at
Premier League Kits 2018-19: Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea
Brighton and Hove Albion have named Graham Potter as their new head coach to succeed Chris Hughton, the Premier League club have confirmed. Potter leaves Swansea after just a single season to take up his new post in the top flight, signing a four-year deal with the Seagulls.
Brighton confirm appointment of Graham Potter as new head
Tottenham provide positive new update on Jan Vertonghen after
Chelsea vs Arsenal live on talkSPORT: Commentary stream, match stats and team news for Europa League final; Transfer news LIVE: Hazard price agreed, Arsenal target Fraser put in 'headlock' and Klopp on Juventus rum; Europa League final prize money: How much Arsenal and Chelsea will win at showpiece match in Baku
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea live on talkSPORT 2
Chelsea & Man City fans are saying the same thing as champions post tweet about Frank Lampard. Manchester City have posted a tweet about former midfielder Frank Lampard - and it has attracted plenty of attention from Chelsea fans
Terry will manage Chelsea before Lampard does, says Wise
Man Utd plot move for David De Gea replacement amid transfer
Barcelona missed out on signing Paul Pogba from Juventus in 2016 due to Manchester United's £89m bid, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed. The Spanish giants enquired about the
Ivan Rakitic a Manchester United transfer target but
England vs Netherlands live on talkSPORT: Full commentary, free stream and team news for Nations League clash 1 day ago The Three Lions continued their fine form of last summer's World Cup to reach the Nations League finals in Portugal.
Liverpool vs Porto live stream: Watch online, TV channel
No comments:
Post a Comment