Arsenal legend accepts guilty verdict after chainsaw incident | OneFootball

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has accepted his guilt over charges related to a bizarre incident involving a chainsaw at Lake Starnberg.

The 54-year-old accepted a guilty verdict for property damage and attempted fraud in two cases, agreeing to the terms set by the public prosecutor’s office and the Regional Court of Munich II.

As a result, Lehmann has been ordered to pay a fine totalling €135,000.

Verdict in the “chainsaw trial” against ex-football national goalkeeper Jens Lehmann – Deutsche Welle 7 Oct 2024

The charges stem from a dispute between Lehmann and his neighbour over obstructed lake views at Lake Starnberg.

In July 2022, Lehmann used a chainsaw to cut through a roof beam of his neighbour’s garage, which he believed was blocking his previously unobstructed view of the lake.

Additionally, he damaged a surveillance camera by cutting its cable, although the camera continued to record on battery power, providing evidence of his actions.

In an earlier trial in December 2023, the district court of Starnberg had imposed a €420,000 fine on Lehmann.

Both Lehmann and the prosecution appealed the decision, with the prosecution seeking a suspended prison sentence.

However, Lehmann ultimately accepted the reduced sentence at the second trial.

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 25: Jens Lehmann attends the BMW Open by American Express Players Night 2022 on day three of the BMW Open by American Express at MTTC IPHITOS on April 25, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

During this latest proceeding, he chose not to make any statements, a notable shift from the first trial, where he described the allegations as “character assassination.”

Beyond the incident at Lake Starnberg, Lehmann faced further charges related to his conduct at Munich Airport.

He was accused of driving his vehicle bumper-to-bumper out of a multi-storey car park to evade paying parking fees.

These incidents contributed to the court’s consideration of his character and behaviour.

Lehmann’s legal challenges did not end there. Last week, following a visit to the Oktoberfest in Munich, he was stopped by police at a checkpoint for “conspicuous driving behaviour.”

This led to the suspension of his driving licence on suspicion of drunk driving, adding to the former footballer’s recent troubles.

Lehmann’s actions have drawn significant attention, given his status as a former star of the game. He is best known for his time at Arsenal, where he was a key figure during the club’s famous “Invincibles” season in 2003-04, going unbeaten throughout the Premier League campaign.

His career also saw him represent FC Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, and play 61 times for the German national team.

He was Germany’s starting goalkeeper at the 2006 World Cup and the 2008 European Championship.

After retiring from professional football, Lehmann frequently worked as a TV football analyst.

However, his recent legal battles and the unusual nature of the chainsaw incident have cast a shadow over his post-playing career, creating a narrative that is markedly different from his days as a celebrated footballer.