Briton killed in brawl over prices at French lap-dancing club

A British man was killed in a drunken brawl after he claimed he was "ripped off" buying drinks at a lap-dancing club in Cannes.

Lee Fisher, 37, a labourer from London, had been drinking with work colleagues after erecting exhibition stands at a show organised by the Tax Free World Association (TFWA), one of the biggest shows of its kind in the duty free and retail sector.

After five or six pints they arrived at the lap-dancing club in the upmarket resort on the French Riviera, but Mr Fisher left after just one drink, apparently outraged at the prices charged.

"He believed he had been ripped off so he left the bar," said a police source. "Outside he saw a guy handing out fliers for another lap-dancing club. He was very angry so he started to shout at the man."

A fight ensued and friends of both men came to their aid. "People came over to help the man and Mr Fisher found himself facing several individuals," the source added. "His own friends came over but two of them were also attacked. One was punched in the nose and the other on the mouth. They were chased off. After that, the situation appeared to calm down but suddenly Mr Fisher was punched in the face. He fell to the ground, unconscious."

Mr Fisher collapsed dead in the road in the early hours of Monday morning. He had been due to return home that day. Three Frenchmen aged between 25 and 30 were being questioned yesterday. If they stand trial and are subsequently convicted, they could face up to 15 years in jail, police said.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out tomorrow to establish the precise cause of death.

Mr Fisher, who is believed to have been married, was killed on the first day of the duty free and travel retail exhibition, where he was working for the UK-based design consultancy Lea International. A spokesman for the TFWA said: "The board, management committee and staff of TFWA wish to convey their sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Fisher at this very difficult time."