Saido Berahino found guilty of drink driving after telling police he had been robbed
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
3Saido Berahino has been found guilty of drink-drivingThe 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. “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.”
3The striker has said he was attacked on a night outBerahino 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.
3The 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.
Newcastle vs Southampton: How to listen. Full commentary from St. James' Park will be live on talkSPORT, with our coverage getting underway from 5pm. Laura Woods will bring you all the build-up with Sam Matterface and Stuart Pearce on commentary duty.
Ajax vs Tottenham live on talkSPORT: Commentary, stream and
Lionel Messi's mesmerising run and goal against Getafe is the best in Barcelona's history, according to fans. The strike in the semi-finals of the 2006/07 Copa del Rey, which Getafe actually
~ Lionel Messi goal vs Getafe is best in Barcelona's history
Manchester City won all three Champions League group home games last season. Assistant coach Mikel Arteta took over duties in the dugout but the former Arsenal midfielder oversaw a disjointed
Uefa Champions League highlights on TV tonight: Man Utd vs
Liverpool youngster Ovie Ejaria has signed for Rangers on a season-long loan. Liverpool transfer news: Steven Gerrard snaps up Liverpool youngster Ejaria on loan for Rangers | Goal.com Live Scores
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard plots loan raid on Liverpool for
Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny were on target as Arsenal produced a strong performance to see off Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. Frenchman Lacazette was lethal up front, but Chelsea's
Valencia vs Manchester United LIVE commentary: Paul Pogba
1000 years of the beautiful game simulated in Football Manager 15. (the soccer sort) has used Football Manager 2015 to simulate 1000 years of Premier League PC Gamer is part of Future US
What will football look like 50 years in the future? : soccer
Real Madrid have denied that Sergio Ramos failed a drug test after the 2017 Champions League final. A report in German publication Der Spiegel - released as part of their Football Leaks series
Rangers' Ryan Kent faces a two-game ban after being charged for shoving Celtic captain Scott Brown. Footage showed the winger, 22, lash out at Brown in the aftermath of James Forrest's late winner
Ryan Kent facing two-match ban after appearing to strike
Brahim Diaz beamed as he kissed the badge during his unveiling at Real Madrid on Monday afternoon after sealing a £22million move from Manchester City, having played just 49 minutes of Premier
Real Madrid transfer news: Brahim Diaz deal confirmed as
Cameroon was on Friday stripped of hosting the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations due to delays in preparing for the continental showpiece, organisers the Confederation of African Football announced.
Cameroon Stripped Of Hosting 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations
0 Komentar