Spanish policeman 'suspended for refusing to pay at brothel'

'The police sergeant, who showed signs of having consumed an excessive amount of alcohol, tried to enter without paying'

The policeman was reportedly suspended for five days over the incident (Getty)

A Spanish policeman has been suspended for five days after refusing to pay a brothel he was trying to visit with colleagues and a member of the country’s national intelligence agency, it has been reported.

According to Spanish newspaper El Pais, all of the men were off-duty and not wearing uniform when they visited the establishment named 'Supermodels' in Noain, northern Spain, in January 2012.

A court document read: “The sergeant, who showed signs of having consumed an excessive amount of alcohol, tried to enter without paying, which was prevented by the doorman of the premises.”

When asked to pay an entry fee by the brothel's bouncer, the policeman reportedly produced his badge, said he was on a police operation, and threatened to arrest him, saying: “I know where you live and if I want to I can put you behind bars this very night.”

After repeatedly refusing to pay, the group was confronted by the brothel’s owner, who eventually called the police.

Spanish police were recently told that they cannot visit strip clubs while on duty and in uniform after a ruling by the country’s supreme court. The decision was handed down following an appeal by a police officer in Toledo who was disciplined for visiting a strip club during a shift. He was suspended without pay for six months.