Drink-drive Berahino ‘escaping armed gang’

STOKE striker Saido Berahino swore at reporters before pleading not guilty to being three times over the drinkdrive limit yesterday. The 25-year-old was heard to say ‘Get the f*** out the way...’ before his appearance at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court and then returned from the hearing to find a parking ticket on his Mercedes. According to court documents, he was breathalysed after his arrest in February in Bloomsbury, London, and the reading showed that he had 103 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The limit is 35 microgrammes. His lawyer told the court he drove a ‘short distance’ to evade an armed gang. Jake Taylor, defending, said: ‘The defendant, shortly before the arrest by police, was the victim of a robbery. This is subject to a police complaint at present. ‘Weapons were produced and the defendant got into his vehicle and drove a very short distance.’ Stoke suspended Berahino after his arrest last month and will await the outcome before making a final ruling on his future. Berahino, of Cannock, Staffs, is due to appear at the same court for trial on May 15.