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      Michael Schumacher plot ‘mastermind’ threatened to leak ‘intimate’ photos of stricken star to ‘get REVENGE on family’

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      THE mastermind of the Michael Schumacher blackmail plot threatened to leak “intimate” photos of the stricken star, a German court has been told.A former security guard for the Schumacher family allegedly wanted “revenge” after he was let go by wife Corinna earlier this year.The alleged mastermind of the Michael Schumacher blackmail plot threatened to leak ‘intimate’ photos of the stricken starCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe former security guard for the Schumacher family Markus F allegedly planned the blackmail plotCredit: FacebookBouncer Yilmaz T was also hired to extort £12million from Schumachar’s family, it is claimedMarkus F, 53, reportedly turned bitter following the decision and hatched a plan alongside two other men to extort the wealthy family out of millions, it has been alleged. German cops have been leading investigations with the three suspects appearing at Wuppertal District Court near Dortmund this week.A member of the Schumacher staff took to the stand as she told the court she has seen emails between Markus and the family revealing he wanted cash in return for the intimate photos staying private.Heike P claimed the men had images of Michael in his wheelchair and threatened to post them on the dark web.read more in blackmail plotShe told the court: “Emails were written in which he said if he didn’t get his pay he would go after the Schumacher family.”The staff member for the Schumachers also said she couldn’t remember the amount of money asked for in the messages.She did believe it was less than three months worth of wages the former security guard would have been on at the time.Markus has refused to say a word in court so far other than to confirm his name and address.Most read in MotorsportThe intimate images are said to be a part of a 1,500 cache of secret files believed to have been stolen from the Schumacher family home.This sensitive material was uploaded onto four USB sticks and two hard drives in the days prior to Markus being let go, prosecutors say.Inside Michael Schumacher’s decade-long recovery from ‘desperately cruel’ ski crash as brother shares devastating updateThe content included photos, videos, medication lists and even Schumacher’s patient file, BILD reported back in July.Markus is accused of stealing the information and then recruiting long-term pal and local bouncer Yilmaz T, 53, say German authorities.Yilmaz then allegedly used his son Daniel L to help him make contact with the Schumacher family before trying to extort them.Police say the total figure the trio wanted was around £12million.Yilmaz – who had known Markus for over 20 years – was allegedly promised a small commission in return for his help.German cops plan quickly managed to thwart the plot soon after contact was first made with the Schumacher family.When the men were first hauled into court Markus’ lawyer claimed he had been asked by Corinna to digitalise copies of photos taken of her husband.This included the intimate images.Michael’s family are trying to keep secrets about his health private during the caseCredit: GettyHowever, a shocking revelation reportedly now claims that one of the hard drives which may still hold data on the F1 legend has gone missing.Authorities said they were able to track down the alleged extortionists through “technical measures”.On July 4, officers arrested Markus in his apartment in Wülfrath. They also detained Yilmaz and his son Daniel L soon after for their roles in the alleged blackmail plot.All three men were charged and are now in court for the hearing.Prosecutors are asking for the men to spend at least four years behind bars if found guilty.Speaking for the first time at Wuppertal District Court, Yilmaz T said he had done nothing wrong and that it was all to help out a poor nurse.I didn’t think there was anything bad about it. He said he had photos of a person and wanted to sell themDaniel LsuspectHis son Daniel has accepted his role in the affair but is claiming he had no knowledge of the content being sent as part of the plot. The 30-year-old is being charged for having supplied his father with an untraceable Gmail address.He is also accused of forwarding the illicit pictures on his dad’s behalf.Daniel said: “I didn’t see the content. My dad just said that it was a legal, normal affair, whereby there was a layer involved, and that was it for me, so I didn’t ask any more questions.“I didn’t think there was anything bad about it. He said he had photos of a person and wanted to sell them. “I didn’t ask my father what it was all about. Its my father. So I just thought, yeah, okay, and that was it.”Schumacher’s wife Corinna, 55, has already filed a motion to protect her husband during the trial.She is asking to exclude the public from the trial if the seven-time world champion’s current state of health is ever discussed.Corinna has spent over a decade crafting a close knit inner circle of people who are allowed to know about Michael’s health ever since his horrific ski accident. READ MORE SUN STORIESThe F1 star hasn’t been seen or heard from since after with very little being released about his current status. What happened to Michael Schumacher?MICHAEL Schumacher’s life was hanging by a thread over 10-years-ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash.The F1 legend was left with horrific brain injuries and placed into a coma for 250 days.He was given the best possible treatment as he underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion, and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered.But the coma ended up lasting 250 days – more than eight months.After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status.Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him.In 2019, it was said that Schumacher was set to undergo breakthrough stem cell therapy in a bid to regenerate and rebuild his nervous system.Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain.Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be “conscious”, although few other details were given about his state.Michael with his wife CorinnaCredit: EPA More

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      Former Chelsea wonderkid who was ‘poached from Leeds’ that resulted in £5m out-of-court settlement wakes up unemployed

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      FORMER Chelsea ace Michael Woods has become a free agent at the age of 34 after leaving a non-league outfit.Woods burst onto the scene in 2006 when the Blues signed him from Leeds along with fellow prospect Tom Taiwo.Former Chelsea prospect Michael Woods is now a free agent at the age of 34Credit: GettyWoods spent the last few years at non-league clubsCredit: Getty – ContributorThat led to a clash between the West Londoners’ hierarchy and their former owner Ken Bates, who was the Whites’ chairman at the time.Bates accused Chelsea of making illegal approaches and even branded then owner Roman Abramovich and Co as “a bunch of shysters from Siberia”.The businessman then labelled an initial offer of £200,000 as “insulting” and called for the Premier League giants to face a points deduction, transfer ban or suspension from European competitions.Eventually, Bates accepted £5million compensation in an out-of-court settlement with Abramovich’s side.Read More on FootballHowever, neither Leeds academy graduate managed to stand out at Stamford Bridge.Taiwo retired at 29 due to injury, while Woods only managed two senior appearances during his five-year spell at Chelsea.The midfielder, though, also dealt with injury setbacks as two years into his stay he was told he may never play football again after a serious knee injury in a reserve fixture. And just ten minutes into his comeback appearance, the ex-England youth international dislocated his ankle.Most read in FootballOngoing struggles to break into the first team, with Frank Lampard and Michael Essien ahead of him in the pecking order, led to a loan stint at Notts County in 2010 and his eventual departure a year later.Woods didn’t return to action for another year when he signed with Yeovil Town in 2012.Premier League club to make history by wearing AI-generated kit designed by fans However, the central midfielder struggled to settle and went on to play for the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Harrogate Town, Hartlepool United, Dover Athletic, York City and South Shields.Eventually, Woods spent six months at Blyth Spartans in the seventh division.However, the club confirmed the player is no longer on their books with a short statement that read: “Blyth Spartans can confirm that midfielder Michael Woods has departed the club.” More

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      Michael Schumacher hard drive feared to contain leaked ‘intimate’ photos & files is MISSING, blackmail trial hears

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      A HARD drive feared to be filled with Michael Schumacher’s “intimate” pictures and medical files has gone missing, a German court heard.Three suspects who allegedly orchestrated a £12m blackmail plot against Schumacher appeared at Wuppertal District Court near Dortmund.Details around seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher’s blackmail plot have been revealedCredit: AlamyThe former security guard for the Schumacher family Markus F allegedly planned the blackmail plotCredit: FacebookBouncer Yilmaz T was also hired to extort £12million from Schumachar’s family, it is claimedMichael Schumacher and his wife Corinna before his accident in 2013Credit: AlamyThe extortionists have been accused of threatening the Ferrari star’s family and conspiring to leak private pictures of him on the dark web. The photos were part of a cache of 1500 computer files including personal videos, medication lists and the contents of Schumacher’s patient file.They were allegedly stolen by a former security guard who worked for the Schumacher family.All the data was reportedly transferred to two hard drives and four USB sticks. more on the f1 legend However, one of the hard drives which may still hold data on the F1 legend has gone missing.All three accused face prison sentences if convicted. Yilmaz T, 53, a former bouncer at the large Grey nightclub in Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, is believed to have had the hard drive.He is thought to have initiated the extortion, by calling the Schumacher family and claiming to act as a middleman for other parties.Most read in MotorsportYilmaz T revealed he had two hard drives filled with the sporting legend’s medical records and private pictures.He is alleged to have threatened to leak them on the dark net. Schuey’s family awarded £170k damages over AI-generated ‘chat with F1 star’He claimed that he hid the hard drive with family members and friends.But while cops were able to recover the four USB sticks and one of the hard drives, the second one was not found.The former bouncer claimed to have received all the data from Markus F, 53, who is said to be the mastermind of the sickening plot.Markus F worked for Schumacher’s family as a security guard for years. He allegedly stole the data and passed it on to Yilmaz T. Markus F has been charged with aiding and abetting extortion and violating personal privacy.He has two prior convictions, including fraud in 127 cases, and in this case, he is charged with If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.PLOT’S ‘MASTERMIND’Yilmaz T’s son, Daniel L, 30, is also accused of supporting him in threatening the family by setting up an encrypted Gmail account and transmitting files.Yilmaz T claims he joined the plot to help a nurse – who has not yet been named – who also worked for the Schumachers. He told the court: “Completely honestly I didn’t see it the way it all came out. “Ok, it went badly, but…I was also given some pressure myself. “For example, the nurse became unemployed, so she wasn’t in a good financial situation. “And I was supposed to sort out money to help her out.”Markus F – who is accused of being the plot’s mastermind – worked as a security expert for Michael Schumacher for nine years.He is thought to have provided the original computer files which he wrongfully obtained during his work for Schumacher’s family to the ex-bouncer.Markus F also worked for the German Honorary Consultate in Egypt.In court, he refused to say a word other than to confirm his name and address. But in a statement read by his lawyer, he claimed that he had been asked by Corinna to digitalise copies of photos taken of her husband.Schumacher’s wife Corinna, 55, has filed a motion to protect her husband, which will allow her to exclude the public from the trial if the seven-time world champion’s current state of health is discussed.The F1 star, who hasn’t been seen or heard from for over a decade after a horror ski crash, has been looked after by his close-knit family since the accident.The seven-time world champion’s family have kept his health a guarded secret for years.Markus F was allowed inside the famous Schumacher inner circle for upwards of eight years as Michael’s wife Corinna felt he was a trusted aide.Earlier this year, the relationship drastically declined as Corinna was forced to sack him due to changes to her husband’s care plan.This allegedly turned him bitter as he started to hatch a plan to extort the Schumacher family. What happened to Michael Schumacher?MICHAEL Schumacher’s life was hanging by a thread 10 years ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash that left him with horrific brain injuries.The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered.But the coma ended up lasting 250 days – more than eight months.After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from the hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status.Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him.In 2019, it was said that Schumacher was set to undergo breakthrough stem cell therapy in a bid to regenerate and rebuild his nervous system.Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain.Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be “conscious”, although few other details were given about his state.Schumacher’s family contacted the Swiss authorities to file a report about the alleged blackmail plot, with Swiss police then working alongside German cops to investigate the case.Cops arrested Markus F, along with Yilmaz T and Daniel L. for the alleged blackmail plot earlier this year.Authorities said they were able to track down the alleged extortionists through “technical measures”.Senior public prosecutor Wolf-Tilman Baumert, spokesman for the Wuppertal public prosecutor’s office, said: “After the advanced investigations, we currently assume that the accused son may have acted more as an accomplice.”Speaking for the first time at Wuppertal District Court, Yilmaz T said he had done nothing wrong – it was all to help out a poor nurse.He told the court: “I contacted the family. I told them that I could get the data and that I would then call back in 3 days and see if they were interested.”READ MORE SUN STORIESYilmaz T disclosed that the nurse, who has not yet been named, had also worked for the Schumacher family.However, Yilmaz T later confessed that he had never even met the nurse and that he had only been shown a picture of her by Markus F. More

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      Man City’s hearing over 115 alleged Premier League financial rule breaches CONCLUDED as D-day edges closer

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      THE hearing into the Premier League’s charges against Manchester City has concluded, according to reports. City were slapped with a whopping 115 charges over alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules back in February.Manchester City were hit with 115 charges of alleged Financial Fair Play breaches last yearCredit: GETTYThe hearing into the club’s alleged breaches of FFP rules began in SeptemberCredit: GETTYThe Premier League and City have completed their closing arugmentsCredit: PACity have vehemently denied the charges and have been fighting their corner at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre since mid-September.But according to reports, the hearing has come to a close.That’s according to The Daily Mail, who claim both parties have made their closing arguments.A three-man panel will now go away and deliberate the evidence before delivering the verdict anticipated around the world.READ MORE ON MAN CITYBut it won’t come any time soon due to the sheer scale of the evidence involved.It could take MONTHS before the Premier League giants learn their fate.City’s alleged rule breaking is said to have taken place over a 14-YEAR period.They were initially hit with 115 charges, although they were increased to 130 following an an administration issue.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhat will happen to Man City?MAN CITY began the season as favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?Lipton: Yes…. probably! It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.Custis: Why is that?Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future.City have been accused of failing to accurately report their finances over a nine-year period from 2009-10 and 2017-18.It’s also alleged they failed to provide all the details about former manager Roberto Mancini’s pay packets between 2009-10 and 2012-13.Pep Guardiola responds to ‘sacked in the morning’ chants at Anfield from Liverpool fans The charges also relate to their alleged failure to disclose full player salaries between 2010-11 and 2015-16.In addition to their alleged financial wrongdoings, City have been accused of failing to co-operate with the Prem’s investigation.The investigation only began after the material alleging the club’s breach of the rules was published in Germanmagazine Der Spiegel in 2018.If found guilty, City could be hit with huge financial penalties and a points deducation.They could also be RELEGATED if they’re found to have committed the most serious charges.The club will likely appeal any verdict which doesn’t go their way, meaning the final decision may not be made until the end of NEXT SEASON.City have repeatedly denied the allegations since they were first published and recently stated they have “irrefutable evidence” to exonerate themselves on any wrongdoing.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Etihad club have stated they’re looking “forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”Pep Guardiola’s troops will be back in action on Wednesday night, travelling to Turin to take on Italian giants Juventus in the Champions League. More

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      Aston Villa legend Gary Shaw ‘died after banging his head while getting out of taxi on night out with pals’

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      ASTON Villa legend Gary Shaw died after banging his head while getting out of a taxi following a night out drinking with pals, an inquest has heard.Birmingham Coroner’s Court heard how the 63-year-old former footballer was found collapsed in the street by a neighbour after he had fallen and hit his head on a kerb.An inquest heard how Gary died after hitting his head when getting out of a taxiCredit: GettyThe Aston Villa legend (left) won the 1982 European Cup with the teamCredit: PAHe scored 79 times for Villa across 213 gamesCredit: RexAfter the accident on September 6 this year, he passed away surrounded by his family 10 days afterwards.The inquest was told Shaw had been for a night out at the Jam House in the centre of Birmingham and was put in a taxi by friends at around 1.30am.However, as he exited the cab, he fell and hit his head on a kerb before being found by a neighbour in the early hours.They then phoned an ambulance and the 1982 European Cup winner was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.Read More on Footballer DeathsHowever, his condition deteriorated and he died ten days later on September 16 after suffering the “severe head injury”.Birmingham Coroner Louise Hunt recorded that Shaw died as a result of an accident.She said: “Mr Shaw had been out for the night drinking with friends on September 5.”In the early hours of September 6 and made his way home in a taxi.Most read in Football”He was found collapsed on the pavement outside his home address having fallen and hit his head.”He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he was found to have a severe head injury as a result of the fall which resulted in his death on September 16.”Meet Aston Villa wonderkid Lamare Bogarde who has a famous unclePhilip Cutler, his brother-in-law, said in a statement how Gary had been out for the evening at the club.He confirmed that Gary was put into a taxi by friends at 1.30am and after getting out of the taxi, fell and hit his head on the kerb, rendering him unconscious.Philip said it was then sometime between 2am and 3am he was found and an ambulance called.A doctor said in a statement Gary had suffered an extensive and diffused head injury and that no surgical intervention was possible.He was then stabilised and put on the critical care unit. The doctor added Gary had a CT scan on September 9 which showed a deterioration in the brain, and his death was a result of a severe head injury caused by the fall.He also said that hypertension was a contributory factor, and a toxicological report showed that the ex-player had an alcohol reading of 221 milligrams per 100 millilitres.Gary, an academy graduate, who scored three goals on the way to the final against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam, also netted 18 times for Villa during their march to the first division title in 1981.He was named PFA Young Player of the Year following their title-winning season, in which he scored 20 times.The talented striker scored 79 times in 213 games for his boyhood club, and is regarded as one of Villa’s best forwards in their 150-year history.He also played for Blackpool, Walsall, Kilmarnock, and Shrewsbury Town.While he never earned a cap for England, he did play seven times for the U21s, scoring two goals.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn recent years, Gary, idolised by many on the terraces, had been a regular match day attendee at Villa Park and often held Q&A sessions with corporate guests.The club ambassador had also worked as a statistician, having formerly helped coach the youth team.Gary had worked as a club ambassador for Villa in later lifeCredit: Rex More

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      Reading owner sued for £10m by ex-EFL chief after takeover bid collapsed despite lending League One side £5m

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      READING have been hit with a £10.3million compensation claim by former Wycombe owner Rob Couhig.The American lawyer told SunSport he lodged a claim in the High Court against Renhe Sports Management — the company through which Chinese businessman Dai Yongge owns Reading.Rob Couhig is seeking £800,000 in costs and £9.5m in potential lost profits after Dai Yongge withdrewCredit: RexCouhig is seeking £800,000 in costs and £9.5m in potential lost profits after Yongge withdrew from a £30m agreement to sell the League One club in September.After agreeing a purchase price last summer, Couhig lent the Royals around £5m to help with running costs.All the paperwork required to seal the deal was completed — other than Yongge’s signature.And Couhig was stunned to receive an email from the club in September telling him the deal was off.Read More on FootballYongge went on to enter exclusive negotiations with another buyer, whose identity has never been revealed.RSM have been approached for comment.Couhig insisted he had the interests of the League One club’s boss Ruben Selles and his squad at heart.He added: “I would much rather do a deal to take over the club than win these damages.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“I really want the club to transact before January so we can get down to business. But no one at Reading has had the courtesy to pick up the phone to me and say, ‘We don’t like X, we want Y’.“I made it clear from day one I am not a bank. I was only lending them money to buy the club.Reading fans are angry as owner sells training ground to EFL rivals Wycombe “I feel terrible for Ruben and the boys.“I’ve tried not to be a distraction, which is why I’ve not said anything.“But enough is enough. I’m at my wits’ end and had to act.”Couhig has insisted all along his offer remains on the table.Ex-Reading chairman Roger Smee revealed Yongge has also rejected his bid to buy the club. More

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      Outrage as criminal who was jailed for trying to rob ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil says ‘you win some, you lose some’

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      THE criminal who attempted to rob former Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac has brazenly opened up about the altercation.In July 2019, the Arsenal duo were targeted by two men on a moped in Childs Hill, London.One of the men who attempted to rob Mesut Ozil has discussed exactly what happenedCredit: PA:Press AssociationSead Kolasinac jumped out of the car to stop the robbers and defend Mesut OzilCredit: Met PoliceAshley Smith has shamelessly told all about how he tried to rob Mesut OzilAshley Smith, left, and Jordan Northover admitted to trying to rob Mesut OzilCredit: PA:Press AssociationThey attempted to steal a watch before going for Ozil’s car, but Kolasinac heroically jumped out of the vehicle to fight them off.Ashley Smith and his accomplice, Jordan Northover, were both jailed four months later, with the former receiving a 10-year sentence.He was released earlier this year and disclosed the story from his perspective in a tell-all interview.Smith, nicknamed ‘Ashman’, told the BlueTick podcast: “I was on the run. I was wanted on recall. I had an argument with my mum and I cut my tag off.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”My co-de (co-defendant) rang me and was like, ‘I’m on the run too, let’s roll.’ So I’m like, ‘come meet me.'”We jumped on the bike, went out, done whatever we was doing and made about… Dumb change, innit, it was young Ps.”I’m saying park up, he’s saying no, stay out for another half hour.”We’re driving and I see my man Ozil and Kolasinac in the G Wagon. Pulled up, yeah my co-de tried to get it, it went left. We missed out on the belly that day.Most read in Football”But you win some, you lose some, you know.”I don’t even want to think about the figures to be honest with you. £150k minimum, easy.”Mesut Ozil shows off incredible body transformation in new video as ex-Arsenal star takes fans inside insane workoutsAsked if it would’ve been the biggest move he’d ever done, ‘Ashman’ shamelessly responded: “Yeah. I’ve had a few big ones, I’ve had a few little ones. It’s the luck of the draw, you don’t know what you’re going to get.”He went on to say: “It weren’t even a knife. It was a knitting needle. But where we’d seen it, we weren’t even thinking. It was the belly. We got too hungry. It wasn’t like we planned it.”In response to a question about what the knitting needle was for, he said: “That’s to get something. To get keys, to hook the keys innit.””When I pulled up next to him, the guy was a lump,” he added. “My co-de, he’s a savage. But on that day, my man was on, Sead was on.”Both “furious”, the perpetrators fled the scene but were later found.Smith was initially handed a 15-year prison sentence for attempted robbery, but his guilty plea reduced it to 10 years.After an appeal, he got it reduced again to a six-do-three – meaning a six-year custodial sentence followed by a three-year extended license period.However, he was then charged with a different burglary while in possession of firearms, taking his total sentence back up to nine years.Smith went on to serve four years and 10 months in prison. He was released in May this year.”This is the longest I’ve been out,” he said.Arsenal fans were left furious after seeing how brazen ‘Ashman’ was during the interview on social media.One person commented: “Sead Kolasinac looked at you and laughed. This guy just a full on mug.”Another wrote: “Made to look a fool by footballers 😂.”A third said: “Kolasinac didn’t even flinch, this guy should be embarrassed to even show his face!”READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile a fourth added: “Is he not embarrassed to show his face?”Ozil left Arsenal as a free agent in 2021. Meanwhile, Kolasinac now plays for Atalanta in Serie A.Sead Kolasinac, left, and Mesut Ozil in action for Arsenal in 2019Credit: Reuters More

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      I went from the Prem to prison ‘hell’ filled with shower stabbings and cockroaches but now I’m eyeing an FA Cup shock

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      NILE RANGER sat in prison with his gut churning after eating half-cooked chicken and watching cockroaches crawling through cracks in the walls of his cell.The ex-Newcastle striker, 33, was banged up at Pentonville in north London in 2017 after pleading guilty of committing online banking fraud.Nile Ranger spoke exclusively to SunSportCredit: Jon BondHe was a promising Premier League starCredit: GettyHe helped Newcastle win promotion from the Championship in 2010 and went on to play in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFPBut things spiralled out of control and saw Nile end up in prisonCredit: Jon BondHe had conspired to swindle more than £2,000 from a woman two years earlier.It completed a fall from grace for a highly-promising player who made 26 Premier League appearances for the Geordies before nose diving down the leagues.Ranger swapped training and playing alongside stars such as Michael Owen, Fabricio Coloccini and Andy Carroll for mixing with criminals who boasted about such things as tossing an unfortunate soul into a car boot after cutting their fingers off!But on Sunday he will be back on a football field with Southern Premier Kettering hoping to create some FA Cup magic as they host League Two Doncaster — having scored the winner in the previous round to topple League One Northampton.READ MORE FOOTBALLTo say Ranger is the ultimate model for any young professional NOT to follow is an understatement.He told SunSport: “It was bad in prison, full of wrong ’uns, and no place to be if you’ve got your head screwed on.“I had mine on compared to those people. I had just been silly, unruly and lacked discipline.“There was this guy who told me he had put someone in a car boot and chopped off their fingers.Most read in FA Cup“I heard people planning murders and armed robberies when they got out.“There were prisoners getting stabbed in the showers and drones flying in drugs and mobile phones. It was hell.”Bizarre moment man dressed as Elsa from Frozen sings Let It Go karaoke on pitch ahead of FA Cup first-round clashAlthough sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court to serve eight months inside one of Britain’s most notorious jails, Ranger was released after 10 weeks for good behaviour — although he had to wear an electronic tag to make sure he was not up to no good.Ranger said: “There were cockroaches coming through the gaps of the cell walls and door.“We had to block those with towels and if you killed a cockroach others would appear from eggs they laid. There were mice running about as well. It was disgusting.“The food was appalling. The chicken I’m certain wasn’t properly cooked.“I was locked up 23 hours a day — using the hour outside my cell to exercise and shower.“Some of the guards were arrogant — trying to make me feel small. They were jealous because I was a footballer. But I didn’t rise to it.”I focused on getting out and thought, ‘I’m only going to be here for two or three months and playing football again.’“I was at Southend and they were still paying my wages while in prison so that was always on my mind when the guards were belittling me.“I felt the sentence was unfair. People have done far-worse and only got suspended sentences.“I reckon the judge had already decided while having dinner with his wife the previous evening he was going to lock me up.”Kept messing upRanger concedes he screwed up and wasted his incredible talent. Had he applied himself he could have had a good Premier League career.But he kept messing up — despite countless chances.Just shortly after signing for Southampton from Crystal Palace as a kid, he was banged up for 11 weeks in a young offenders institute for being involved in an armed robbery.The Saints stuck by him then but lost patience after he stole his entire academy team’s kit and a box of chocolates from the kit lady.He explained: “I don’t know why I took the chocolates but we had been told we could have some of the kit. The season had finished and Southampton were getting us new ones.“I had friends at home in North London who loved football so I took everything, all the kit and boots. I was caught on camera and Southampton terminated my contract.”Ranger helped fire Kettering into the FA Cup second roundCredit: PAYet Ranger landed on his feet when Newcastle snapped him up and despite breaking into the first team and helping them win promotion from the Championship in 2010 and going on to play in the Premier League, he pressed the self-destruct button with a series of disciplinary problems.He also had such a gambling addiction that the club got him banned from every casino in Newcastle. He was constantly late for training or did not show at all.Kevin Keegan got so fed up with him when he started training with the first team, he told Ranger: “I’m going to pull out and sell your gold tooth if you’re late again because your wages will not be enough to cover the fine.”Chris Hughton, who had a summit meeting with Ranger and his mum, and Alan Pardew, who banished him to train with the academy team until he sorted out his time-keeping, both tried in vain to save his career before the latter decided to let him go.Swindon, Blackpool and Southend (twice) all took punts but to no avail — and after a spell with National League club Boreham Wood he crashed out of the game for 20 months before joining Kettering in September.When he was a promising 18-year-old at Newcastle he was earning almost £10,000-a-week — and admits he would be penniless today if it was not for his beloved mum Karen.He said: “When I was making the money I was, I didn’t appreciate it and was spunking it.“My mum sorted out some property investments. I should’ve done way more. Had she not done that, I’d have nothing now.“I’ve a bit of money to live on but cannot live a lavish lifestyle.”Mum has always looked out for me and out of everyone I’ve upset with my actions she’s the one I regret hurting the most — along with all my family.”Celebration promiseRanger believes he has matured since becoming a dad. He has a three-year-old son Aziel and while he has since split from the mother, insists he prioritises being a good dad.And while the striker knows seventh-tier Kettering is a world away from the level he reached, he still believes he can play in League One or Two.But right now he wants to help the Poppies win promotion this season and help youngsters not make the same mistakes he has as well as inspire criminals serving time to mend their ways.He said: “Prison is supposed to be a place where they rehabilitate you. I didn’t see any of that happening. In fact, jail can make people worse.“I accept I’m not a good football role model — but I am a role model, one who made lots of mistakes, but who can teach people what NOT to do.“I’ve already done a talk to some youngsters at an academy. I’ve been invited to schools and prisons. I’d like to use my experience to help others.“But right now my focus is on enjoying the last part of my career and hopefully creating another FA Cup shock.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Ranger has promised to do one thing on live TV if he scores against Doncaster.He said: “I have a tattoo on my lower lip of a smiley emoji. I am going to run to a TV camera and show my happy lip!”He’s vowed to show off his tattoo if he scores this weekendCredit: Jon BondTV viewers will get a close up view of his ‘happy’ lip tattooCredit: Jon Bond More