Euro 2016: Drunk Englishman breaks into French police officer's house - thinking it's his rented apartment

Mr Robertson spent three days in custody and later appeared in court after admitting drunken violence, criminal damage to the door and criminal trespass

Samuel Stevens
Tuesday 28 June 2016 11:25 BST
Comments
England supporters have gone to France in great numbers
England supporters have gone to France in great numbers (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An “astronomically” drunk Englishman has been handed a five-month suspended jail sentence after breaking into a French police officer’s home during Euro 2016, believing it to be his own rented accommodation.

Dane Robertson, a 25-year-old graduate from Peterborough, used a fire extinguisher to make his presence known before a brief struggle at the doorway with a person he believed to be an intruder of his Airbnb apartment in Nice.

It later transpired that the man in question happened to be a police officer who had been disturbed in the night while sleeping in his own bed. He used pepper spray to incapacitate Mr Robertson, who later revealed he does not follow football but had met up with friends who were supporting England.

Mr Robertson spent three days in custody and later appeared in court after admitting drunken violence, criminal damage to the door and criminal trespass.

“I have had time to think things over while I have been in prison,” he said. “While I have been there I have been very frightened and I can say, hand on my heart, I will never drink again.”

Judge David Hill told Mr Robertson: “You had an astronomical amount of alcohol. You drank three quarters of a bottle of vodka, wine and beer.”

Mr Robertson, who graduated with a degree in business studies at Sheffield Hallam University, was handed a five-month suspended jail sentence before being warned: “Do not go out and celebrate this decision”.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in