Tottenham Hotspur's Jermain Defoe in Jewellery Raid Arrest

Spurs striker Jermain Defoe was arrested by Hertfordshire Police over a jewellery raid on his own home, it has emerged. He was later released without charge.

The 30-year-old's mansion was believed to have been targeted by thieves after two women were invited there by cousins of the England star while he was away.

More than £200,000 of jewellery and luxury clothing were stolen, it was claimed. Defoe reportedly ordered his relations to get back the missing gear.

The women later reported they had been threatened in relation to the incident, but not by Defoe or his cousins.

Defoe, who earns £60,000 a week, was arrested but released without charge. An 18-year-old man has been charged with making threats to kill.

Defoe has complained before about his treatment by police. He accused Essex Police of harassment in 2009 after he was pulled over while driving a £150,000 Ferrari in Chigwell.

Police said it was part of a campaign to crack down on the theft of luxury vehicles.

His lawyer Nick Freeman branded the incident "at best an embarrassing cock-up, at worst, it smacks of something more sinister".

Days earlier, Defoe was held in a police cell for five hours after police accused him of flouting a driving ban in Loughton, Essex.

Court officials at Chelmsford confirmed his story that the ban had already been lifted on appeal.

Defoe took action against the police and was awarded a four-figure sum.