Former West Ham footballer Said Benrahma has been fined £12,000 after he pleaded guilty to two counts of owning dangerously out of control dogs.

The dogs, both XL bullies, escaped from his home in Hornchurch, east London, and attacked a golden retriever and injured a man in July 2023, Willesden Magistrates’ Court heard.

Benrahma, who spent four seasons at the Hammers, appeared at court on Thursday by video link from a car in Saudi Arabia, where he now plays in the Saudi Pro League.

He said the dogs had escaped from a side gate which had been left open by someone working for him at the time.