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Stoke City's Berahino robbed before drink-drive arrest | Stoke City's Berahino robbed before drink-drive arrest |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A Stoke City footballer was arrested for drink and driving minutes after he was robbed, a court has heard. | A Stoke City footballer was arrested for drink and driving minutes after he was robbed, a court has heard. |
Saido Berahino was almost three times the alcohol limit when his Range Rover was stopped in London's West End at about 03:00 on 18 February, Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court heard. | Saido Berahino was almost three times the alcohol limit when his Range Rover was stopped in London's West End at about 03:00 on 18 February, Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court heard. |
The court heard there "is no dispute" over the robbery, which was caught on CCTV. | The court heard there "is no dispute" over the robbery, which was caught on CCTV. |
The striker, 25, of Old Penkridge Road, Staffordshire, has denied the charge. | The striker, 25, of Old Penkridge Road, Staffordshire, has denied the charge. |
The court heard police were called to reports of a possible stabbing involving seven people outside the VQ Cafe, in Great Russell Street. | The court heard police were called to reports of a possible stabbing involving seven people outside the VQ Cafe, in Great Russell Street. |
The Burundi-born striker was behind the wheel of the car when police followed it the short distance to Bedford Square, the court heard. | The Burundi-born striker was behind the wheel of the car when police followed it the short distance to Bedford Square, the court heard. |
He was stopped and asked about the fight through the vehicle's window but said had not seen anything, prosecutor Katie Weiss said. | He was stopped and asked about the fight through the vehicle's window but said had not seen anything, prosecutor Katie Weiss said. |
PC Stephen Luu said Berahino appeared "nervous", which led the officer to believe he was linked to the incident. | |
"As I got closer to him, I could actually smell alcohol on his breath," the officer said. | "As I got closer to him, I could actually smell alcohol on his breath," the officer said. |
Berahino was found to have 103mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the court heard. The legal limit is 35mg. | Berahino was found to have 103mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the court heard. The legal limit is 35mg. |
He told police he was robbed, while his girlfriend said she believed her ex-boyfriend had arranged for Berahino to be attacked, the court heard. | |
His watch and two diamond necklaces were stolen, | |
His lawyer, Garry Green, said: "The issue is whether or not this defendant had to drive his car as a necessity... the background being, and it is accepted by the prosecution, that he was robbed some minutes before." | |
'Jeopardise career' | |
Speaking in court, Berahino said: "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. | |
"They had a knife and a gun as well." | |
He said he did not immediately tell police about the robbery after they were called. | |
"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. | |
"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." | |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. | Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. |