Tottenham Hotspur’s former document signing Chris Armstrong is dealing with jail after trashing his native Tesco retailer and punching a employee to the ground after he was advised he couldn’t purchase cigarettes.
Former £4.5million switch Armstrong, 50, ran amok on the grocery store in Fulham Highway, Chelsea, when he was advised the store was shut at 2.15am on July 18.
The previous Spurs and Palace frontman prompted £2,000 of injury when he kicked over safety scanners and punched Alex Boatang.
Dreadlocked Armstrong appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket right now neatly wearing a black go well with and tie.
He admitted widespread assault and legal injury.
Prosecutor Nathan Fuller stated: ‘Officers have been known as to Tesco due to a report of an aggressive and violent man smashing up the shop.
Armstrong, 50, admitted widespread assault and legal injury and warned he might face jail
Tottenham mananger Gerry Francis shakes hand with new signing Chris Armstrong in 1995
‘He gained entry to the shop by forcing his manner via the door demanding cigarettes.
‘The shop was quickly closed as a result of the employees have been taking a break.
‘When he was advised he could not purchase cigarettes he grew to become aggressive.’
Armstrong kicked over safety scanners, a stand of baskets and broken different property within the retailer.
Mr Boatang then tried to confront Armstrong, telling him to cease.
However Armstrong ‘turned and punched the employee within the face with a closed fist,’ stated Mr Fuller.
Arsenal’s Frederik Ljunberg scuffles with Tottenham Hotspur’s Chris Armstrong in 1999
Mr Boatang fell to the ground and was kicked within the shin by the previous footballer.
The shop employee suffered accidents together with a grazed leg and was taken to hospital to be checked over.
Armstrong fled the scene however he was detained by officers a shortly afterwards.
McKenzie Webster, defending, described the incident was an ‘impulsive and short-lived assault’.
She stated he didn’t realise the store was closed however there was an issue with the locking mechanism so the doorways have been partially open.
Armstrong is aware of the store effectively and has been buying cigarettes there for 14 years, she stated.
Chair of the bench Alan Elias ordered probation reviews however warned: ‘We do suppose the group order threshold has been handed’.
Armstrong, who lives in Chelsea, was granted bail forward of sentence at Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket on March 1.
Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne he began his profession at Wrexham in 1989 and performed for Millwall earlier than becoming a member of Crystal Palace.
After netting 45 occasions for the Eagles he grew to become Spurs’ most costly signing on the time when he joined for £4.5m in 1995.
He earned an England call-up underneath Kevin Keegan however solely performed one ‘B’ worldwide and ended his profession again at Wrexham in 2005.
Armstrong grew to become the first-ever Premier League participant to fail a drug take a look at after testing constructive for hashish in March 1995.
He was convicted of possessing cocaine, hashish and ecstasy at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court docket and fined £375 in September 2016.