Lehmann given lower fine after pleading guilty to 'chainsaw' incident

Former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been fined €135,000 after pleading guilty to attacking his neighbour's garage with a chainsaw.

He had previously been fined €420,000 ($468,000) in the case, which was linked with not paying a parking fee at Munich Airport and insulting police officers.

Lehmann and prosecutors appealed that verdict but the ex-keeper has now agreed with the Munich court to accept a conviction for damage to property and fraud. The alleged crime towards the officers was dropped.

The fine was therefore less, with his cooperation also a factor.

Prosecutors accused Lehmann of sawing off a roof beam in his neighbour's garage with a chainsaw and say it was part of
a long-standing dispute because the building blocked Lehmann's view of Bavaria's Lake Starnberg from his property.

A surveillance camera filmed Lehmann, 54, with the whizzing chainsaw in his hand.

Lehmann had shown no remorse, prosecutor Stefan Kreutzer told the court at the appeal hearing. His behaviour proves "that he obviously believes he is above the law."

Lehmann's lawyer Florian Ufer saw things differently. "I think we can certainly see an acceptance of responsibility," he said.

In deciding on a sentence, the court must "free itself from ongoing and constant prejudices," he added.

The former Schalke, Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal and Stuttgart keeper had a controversial career and was known for his eccentricity.