THIS is the shocking moment an ex-Leicester and Wolves footballer broke into an antique shop and smashed it up in a drunken rage.
Ben Marshall, 35, caused more than £7,000 of damage to the shop – called Junk & Disorderly – after a booze-fuelled night out.
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Ben Marshall outside Telford Magistrates Court Credit: SWNS
The ex-England U-21 star had been drinking in Newport, Shropshire Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
A court heard the former winger, who played for then Premier League outfit Stoke City had “hit rock bottom” after losing his fortune through a string of bad financial decisions.
The ex-England U-21 star had been drinking in Newport, Shropshire, on February 4 this year before he launched the “heinous attack”.
Lucy Allen, prosecuting, said Marshall left a pub and walked towards Junk & Disorderly, on Upper Bar in the town.
She said he kicked a glass panel on the front door until it smashed, and then “crawled” inside.
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Ben Marshall playing for Leicester City Credit: PA:Press Association
Marshall has been spared jail after the rampage Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Ben Marshall admitted burglary with intent to cause damage Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Marshall was sentenced to a community order for 12 months Credit: SWNS
She said: “He then proceeded to deliberately damage various items, as well as ripping the CCTV off the wall.”
Items damaged included the door, CCTV cameras, an antique cash register and several items on the shelves.
Ms Allen said that with the loss of earnings for the two days the shop was closed, the value of the damage was £7,450.
But the ex-footy star has been spared jail after his rampage.
Marshall, of Stafford, admitted burglary with intent to cause damage, and damaging property when he appeared at Telford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
He was sentenced to a community order for 12 months, including up to 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Marshall was also ordered to undergo six months alcohol treatment, do 120 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £1,500 compensation.
Sentencing, chairman of the bench Steven Jonas said: “This was a particularly heinous attack on a premises where you went completely ballistic and caused huge amounts of damage.
Ben Marshall pleaded guilty to two charges: burglary with intent to cause damage, and damaging property Credit: Rex Features
Ben Marshall deliberately damaged various items and ripped the CCTV off the wall Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
“I accept you are remorseful about it and accept it was caused in drink – although that is an aggravating factor, not a mitigating one.”
Marshall’s footballing career started in 2009 when he was signed by Stoke City before playing for Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.
He was bought for £1.2m by Wolves in 2016 and went onto make 25 appearances in the Championship.
Marshall currently plays for Eccleshall FC – who compete in the North West Counties League – in the tenth tier of English football.
The court heard Marshall had issues with alcohol and claimed he heard screaming from the property at the time of the incident.
John Skinner, defending, said: “I think it is fair to say that in February of this year Mr Marshall was going through a difficult time.
“He is a man who came from a position of some wealth but through bad advice effectively lost everything financially.”
Mr Skinner said Marshall had resorted to alcohol as a coping strategy having “hit rock bottom”.
He added: “After drinking at a local pub he initially thought he heard screams coming from the property.
“He broke in but has little explanation for his actions afterwards.”
Marshall played for England U21s twice in his career. He made his debut in a European U21 Championship qualifier against Azerbaijan at the Dalga Arena.
England went on to win the game 2–0.
