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.

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.

“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.”

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.

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.

Tottenham vs Liverpool live on talkSPORT: Commentary stream, preview, team news and match info for Champions 24 mins ago Premier League heavyweights Tottenham and Liverpool face off in Madrid on Saturday night as both strive to win the Champion League - and the showpiece final will be live on talkSPORT.
Ajax vs Spurs Lineups, How to Watch Online, Champions League

Sport > Football > Live Wednesday transfer news, rumours LIVE: Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs latest plus gossip and deals. All the day's latest news, rumours, gossip and
Manchester United and Liverpool transfer war for Sporting

no place for it. Chelsea loanee 'considering future' after suffering racial abuse Tiemoue Bakayoko, who is currently on loan with Milan, was targeted by Lazio fans during last week's Coppa

England ensured it was a perfect start to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a 5-1 win over Montenegro. Despite falling behind against the run of play, Gareth Southgate's men showed terrific composure to make their superiority count. 3 Raheem Sterling celebrates with his England teammates With Callum Hudson-Odoi and Declan Rice in from the…
Gareth Southgate's men continue perfect start to Euro 2020

Patrice Evra could face legal action from Paris Saint-Germain over a homophobic rant at the French club following their Champions League defeat to Manchester United. The former United defender
PSG condemn ex-Manchester United defender Evra's comments

Premier League wonderkids who could play in the next two games, including Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham starlets
Premier League wonderkids who could play in the next two

'So annoying' - West Ham fans blast England boss Gareth Southgate's decision to bring on Ross Barkley ahead of Declan Rice Written by: fpnews Posted on: March 23, 2019 There has been a lot of coverage about Declan Rice's England career as the West Ham man decided to switch allegiances, having previously made three appearances in
'So annoying' - West Ham fans blast England boss Gareth

Cliftonville have terminated Jay Donnelly's contract after the striker was sentenced to three months in prison. The footballer was jailed for distributing an indecent image of a child after they
Cliftonville terminate Jay Donnelly's contract as striker has

ARSENAL fans have started a petition to rename the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal ace Alexandre Lacazette reveals the difference

UEFA.com is the official site of UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, and the governing body of football in Europe. UEFA works to promote, protect and develop European football

Summer Transfer Window Transfer news live: Man Utd latest on Lewandowski, Liverpool summer plans, Jovic to Real Madrid Transfer news and all the latest gossip from the Premier League and beyond UEFA Champions League Man United chief backs big Champions League changes that affect Arsenal, Chelsea & Spurs UEFA is pushing ahead with their proposal
NewsNow: Manchester United News, Man Utd Transfer News

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson says that he is 'confident' that striker Christian Benteke will still be at Selhurst Park next season. The big Belgian frontman has looked a shadow of his former self this campaign, scoring just three times for the Eagles in 29 appearances. However, the former Aston Villa and Liverpool man has […]
Crystal Palace news: The Eagles should make a move for Max Kruse

Cardiff Met Uni FC hero dreaming of Manchester United tie as student team makes Europa League preliminary round fpnews May 23, 2019 0 When Kyle McCarthy put his name down to join Cardiff Metropolitan University's football team nobody could have predicted they'd get to a point where they might face the likes of Manchester United, Rangers and
Man City transfer news LIVE: Maguire wanted, Mbappe alert
fussboll.com/2019/05/20/man-city-transfer-news-live-maguire-wanted-mbappe-alert-gundogan-talks-reopened/
Cardiff Met Uni FC man dreaming of Manchester United tie as student team makes Europa League preliminary round World Football May 23, 2019 Jorginho: Sarri more relaxed than ever; Chelsea just have to believe
LIVE Premier League: Cardiff City News | One News Page

New Tottenham stadium makes The Emirates looks 'soulless and empty' - Adrian Durham trolls Arsenal fans on talkSPORT The Drivetime host admits he has been 'converted' by Spurs' new state-of
New Tottenham stadium makes The Emirates looks 'soulless and

Pages

FIFA Premium Football Live

Labels