Former Arsenal goalkeeper fined £113k after bizarre chainsaw incident

Former Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been fined £113,000 by a court in his hometown of Starnberg for damaging his neighbour's garage with a chainsaw

Ex-Arsenal and Germany shot-stopper Jens Lehmann has been handed a €135,000 (£113,000) penalty by a Starnberg court for causing damage to his neighbour's garage using a chainsaw.

Initially slapped with a hefty €420,000 (£351,000) fine for the July 2022 episode, the amount was reduced on appeal after Lehmann reportedly sawed off a garage roof beam.

Lehmann's attorney Florian Ufer conveyed to German outlets, post-verdict on Friday: "Mr Lehmann accepts responsibility. He has come to an agreement with his neighbour," and confirmed that Lehmann settled any outstanding parking charges at Munich airport.

Presiding Judge Tanja Walter didn't mince words, saying Lehmann always "consistently portrayed himself as a victim of the justice system", while insisting he's "not a victim, he is a perpetrator". Public Prosecutor Stefan Kreutzer also chimed in, asserting Lehmann's actions show "that he obviously believes he is above the law".

Lehmann, 54, joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in 2003, replacing the Gunner's long-standing goalkeeper David Seaman. The German would go onto make 199 appearances in all competitions and in doing so helped Arsene Wenger's side to clinch the Premier League title in 2004 and the FA Cup the following year.

He also played in goal for Arsenal's first-ever Champions League final appearance against Barcelona in 2006, but despite taking the lead through Sol Campbell, it was the Catalans who prevailed 2-1 on the night.