Former Arsenal striker sentenced to jail

Former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner was sentenced to 50 days in jail yesterday for breaking a taxi driver's jaw after refusing to pay the £5 fare.

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

The 30-year-old, who now plays for Norwegian side Rosenborg, was partying with his girlfriend before hailing a cab just after 2am on September 9.

Having argued with the driver over his route, Bendtner, who earned £50,000 a week - and his model partner left the car and were pursued by the driver.

Bendtner then punched the man in the jaw before kicking him as he lay on the ground.

He admitted to hitting the taxi driver but said it was because he felt threatened when the driver threw a can towards him.

The Denmark international, who was also ordered to pay £176 in compensation, argued he acted in self-defence and was released on appeal.

The driver was acquitted of violence but fined £353 for using his phone while driving and not wearing his seatbelt.

Bendtner, who will not be sacked by Rosenborg, issued an grovelling apology at a press conference three days after the incident.

"We think that it's not good for the club and not good for Nicklas, but he remains a player in the club. We are keeping him," Rosenborg CEO Tove Moe Dyrhaug told Reuters.

Bendtner issued an grovelling apology at a press conference three days after the incident.

He said: "I was involved in an extremely unfortunate episode. I could not imagine it would develop as it did, and of course I'm extremely sad that the outcome became as unfortunate as it did.

"To Rosenborg fans and audiences, I regret that this has happened. I’m sorry with all my heart that we are standing here today.

"To my dear teammates, I regret that this will steal focus in an important time. I thank you for your understanding.

"I have never been a fighter but I protect those I love on and off the pitch."At time of the incident, a spokesman for the taxi company, DanTaxi, said: "It's the name (Bendtner) that the driver has reported.

"The episode has taken place with the taxi company's employees.

"We are deeply shaken. This applies to everyone in the business. We have been informed internally, and of course this is something that has left us shaken.

"Copenhagen police confirmed to the newspaper that they received a report of violence against a taxi driver at 2.41am on Sunday."

Since leaving Arsenal in 2014, Bendtner has played for Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest and now Rosenborg where he has scored 33 goals in 75 games.

While at the Emirates, he spent time on loan at Birmingham, Sunderland and Juventus and has won 81 caps for his country, scoring 30 goals.