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Norwegian ski star faces life ban from driving

The Local Norway
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Norwegian ski star faces life ban from driving
Norwegian cross country skier Petter Northug. Photo: Ned Alley / NTB scanpix

Cross country skier Petter Northug may be stripped of his driving licence for life in Norway after he admitted he crashed his car in Trondheim while under the influence of alcohol.

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Prosecutors said in a statement on Tuesday that the 28-year-old former Olympic champion had repeatedly denied to police that he had been driving the luxury car when it crashed in the early hours of May 4th this year.

Northug fled the accident scene, but was  apprehended by police soon afterwards. The sports star denied his involvement, but later confessed.

He recently said in a statement that he accepted the charge and would plead guilty before the court in Trondheim.

Northug initially told police his companion, who was injured during the crash, had been driving the car. Later the Norwegian released a statement that he had driven and crashed the car.

Northug has been charged for six counts relating to the incident, including driving while under the influence, failing to assist at the scene of an accident, and making false statements to the Norwegian police

According to Northug’s defence lawyer, John Christian Elden, it is the last point - false accusations - that is the most serious one.
 
Elden said to NTB: “If he admits to the condition, the charge of false accusations is a breach of the law and the most serious condition in the charge. This will normally result in imprisonment. When being charged, he cannot be punished for lying to others, but he can be punished for blaming others.”
 

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