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Manchester United and England defense Harry Maguire’s Claims that he was “scared” for his life when he was arrested on a holiday island in Greece have been ridiculed by the lawyer who prosecuted him.
The 27-year-old United captain received a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days on Tuesday after being convicted of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and name calling following his arrest in Mykonos.
Maguire’s brother Joe and his friend Christopher Sharman were also convicted of a series of charges and sentenced to 13 months in prison, suspended for three years.
They appealed on Wednesday.
According to Greek law, the appeal overturns Maguire’s conviction and there will be a full new trial in a higher court.
Ioannis Paradissis told MailOnline that Maguire’s claim to the BBC that he thought he was being abducted was “ridiculous” and “unbelievable” and that his actions when he thought he was being taken by force were those of a coward.
“I have seen and read what Maguire said and it is ridiculous and only adds one more insult to the damage he caused to the policemen he attacked and to the Greek justice system as a whole,” Paradissis said.
“Maguire claims she was afraid of being kidnapped, but her response is to run away and call her agent, leaving her fiancé, brothers and sisters and childhood friends behind.
“Even if you accepted this as true, which I do not, these are not the actions of an honorable man.
“If I were his fiancé or any of the others in the group, I would be very mad at him for leaving them behind and I would want him to give me some explanations.”
Paradissis said it was impossible that Maguire had not realized that he had been taken to a police station.
“Maguire claims that when the minibus stopped, he didn’t know he was outside a police station,” he said.
“I urge all people to take a look at the Mykonos police station. It is obvious what this place is during the day or at night.
“There are many police cars parked outside at night, there is a sign that says it is a police station and there are officers going in and out of the building.
“The only way you can’t tell if it’s not a police station is if you’re really drunk.”
Paradissis said that, judging by Maguire’s actions, he was not drunk.
“But clearly, he was not that drunk, because according to him he was able to fight a group of men who he thought were kidnappers and try to escape,” he said.
“If he had had the clarity of mind to do that, obviously, he would also have been able to see that the minibus had stopped in front of a police station.”
Paradissis had asked for an apology earlier in the week saying that he would play for Maguire on his appeal.
Maguire flatly refused to do so in the interview.
“I don’t feel like I owe anyone an apology,” he told the BBC.
“An apology is something when you’ve done something wrong.”
Paradissis was scathing with his posture.
“And where is our apology for their behavior? Three policemen were injured and had to be treated at the hospital,” Paradissis said.
“A rich man came to Mykonos and thought he could behave however he wanted.
“Then he goes to an international television channel to justify his actions and there is not a single penalty for us in anything he says.”
However, Maguire seemed to want things to move forward at least until the appeal is heard, as he tweeted on Friday.
“I am pleased to have expressed my opinion and to share the true version of events.
“I look forward to moving on with life now and next season with @ManUtd and @England.“
