Police bust man for breaking into German bar for solo drinking spree

Police in northern Germany have launched criminal proceedings against a man who claimed to have been locked inside a bar but was found to have broken in and embarked on a solo drinking spree.

Witnesses reported on Friday morning that a person was banging on a window from inside the establishment in Verden in the state of Lower Saxony.

When officers arrived, the 41-year-old from the local area initially claimed to have been locked inside the bar against his will. However, police said on Saturday that they had discovered that he had forced the front door and proceeded to get drunk.

A subsequent breathalyser test showed a reading of more than 3 per mille – over six times the legal driving limit in Germany and indicative of severe intoxication.

Criminal proceedings were initiated against the man for aggravated theft.