A BUSINESSMAN told yesterday how he had to take £10.5m Newcastle star Laurent Robert to court - after the French winger failed to pay a £223 satellite TV bill.

The 28-year-old, who earns £30,000 per week, called in Tyneside expert Stephen Langdown to install Sky TV and a second dish to receive French digital channels.

The star also requested that the system be connected to every room in his Northumberland home in the picturesque village of Heddon-on-the-Wall.

In April, Mr Langdown started legal proceedings over the outstanding ten-month debt at Newcastle County Court, he said.

The Newcastle number 32, who helped his club win a Champions League place this season by finishing fourth in the Premiership, was ordered to pay the £223, plus interest and costs, making a total of £273.80.

Mr Langdown, boss of Newcastle firm Xmp, said he had received a cheque from the player yesterday morning.

He added that he was sad he had to take the matter to the small claims court.

"It's not as if he is short of cash," said Mr Langdown.

"It's said the gentleman doesn't speak very good English, but it was good enough to explain what he wanted fitted and where."

Robert contacted Xmp within weeks of arriving on Tyneside last year after signing for Newcastle from Paris St Germaine.

Xmp has installed satellite TV for about 20 of Newcastle United's foreign players, including Laurent Charvet, Alain Goma and Stephane Givarch.

Robert, who answered the door of his home in his Yves Saint Laurent boxer shorts, explained that his failure to pay had been due to the language barrier. He said: "My English is very bad."