FORMER Newcastle player Warren Barton has apologised for a prank which left him in the cells.

Barton, 38, and ex-team mate Rob Lee, 41, were both arrested after a taxi driver reported his Mercedes E220 had been driven away shortly before midnight on July 25.

It was found crashed into a van nearby, and the occupants had left.

The former footballers were told they would not be facing charges for the incident.

The Metropolitan Police began a probe into a reported snatch of the vehicle in the Hackney Road area of London's East End.

Barton and Lee had been returning home after a night out and were with two other men in the private hire limo.

They were later held at a London police station for questioning into the incident.

The Mercedes was recovered and no-one was injured.

Barton said: "It was just silliness and I apologise for any embarrassment which may have been caused.

"People know Rob and I don't get involved in this sort of thing.

"I knew that it wouldn't come to charges because there was nothing more to it."

The former England internationals were informed when they answered their bail at Limehouse police station.

The Sky TV football panelist of Chingford, Essex, said: "We were going home after a night out - it was a hire car.

"There were two others with us, but because we are higher profile ex-footballers, we get the headlines.

"I can understand why that happens after 18 years as a footballer. I don't know why it was reported to police in this way. I would like to thank the police though.

"I know they were following guidelines when the report was made and they had to do their job. But we have been told there will be no charges.

"All I can say is that you live and learn, and I'm sorry again for any embarrassment."

It was claimed the car was driven away after the driver was asked to stop to allow one of the men out who desperately needed to urinate.

They all got out and then two men reportedly jumped into the front seats and the vehicle was driven away.

A police spokesman said: "Both men have been told there will be no further action against them. The victim has indicated he didn't wish to pursue the matter."

At the time, a spokesman said officers were called at 11.50pm to Hackney Road to reports of a car having being taken away from the location by two men.

He said: "The vehicle was found a short time later in the same road, having been in collision with a van."

Lee was not available for comment.