MARCUS BENT has spoken out about being tasered after raising a meat cleaver and kitchen knife at armed police while high on cocaine.
The former Premier League star, 41, scored 40 goals in 214 goals for clubs including Everton, Ipswich, Charlton and Wigan.
Bent has opened up on his use of cocaine and the crazy night it led to him being tasered by police after he confronted them with a meat cleaver and knife
But the elation he enjoyed from success on the pitch was dwarfed by the numb sensation off it as drugs took hold of his life after he retired.
And one September night back in 2015 was the low point for him, as his once-a-week habit led to what he called in an interview with The Athletic “the situation”.
Just after 9.30pm on September 13, 2015, Bent called Surrey Police from his bathroom fearing for his life.
He thought someone was in his apartment.
Three police officers arrived 16 minutes later. There was no answer but they could hear him screaming from inside.
A battering ram was used to bash the door down and that was when a topless Bent confronted them bearing a meat cleaver and knife while “wild with rage”.
He raised his knife at one of the cops and that was when he was tasered.
Bent was declared bankrupt in January 2019 owing ‘millions’ in unpaid taxCredit: Simon Jones – The Sun
Bent shakes hands with John Terry while playing for Charlton back in 2006Credit: PA:Press Association
The Athletic add that even at this point he was “in a state of hysteria” and certain that someone was hiding behind a door.
The police searched the property inside out. There was no one there.
Bent said: “I was paranoid. I was hallucinating.
“I felt there were people in my house. I remember thinking the door handle was moving.
“I called the police and I picked up something to defend myself. When the police came, I went to the door with these knives.
“If I think back, obviously I should have put the knives down but I wasn’t in a good way. So, of course, they were terrified — someone who’s on drugs, someone who’s paranoid, with two knives.
“They tasered me and I think you know the rest. But I remember going into the police station and actually feeling secure and safe. ‘I’m locked up now. No one can get me’.
“That’s how my mind was at that time. Then, the next morning, there was talk of me being charged with attempted murder. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“At no point was I ever going to take someone’s life. I called them because I was hallucinating, paranoid, terrified.”
Bent was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence for admitting affray and possession of cocaine in February 2016.
Bent – who was in June 2016 arrested at Chessington World of Adventures and charged with cocaine possession and in January last year declared bankrupt – said the incident was his absolute “rock bottom” and it led to a spell in Tony Adam’s Sporting Chance clinic.
He has now been clean for almost four years and recently thought about a comeback for non-league Cornard United before opting against it.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
