The ringleader of a German gang of bank robbers who led police on a 22-hour high speed chase across three countries in April has said he needed the stolen money to pay off his debts.

We were ready to give up right from the start...we knew in Poland that what we were doing was absolutely crazy

Accused robber Artur Fischer

Twenty-four-year-old Artur Fischer made the remarks at the opening session of his trial in Luneburg.

He said he had lost his job in November 2001 and carried out the robbery of the bank, along with cousin, Heinrich Kremer, and best friend Vitali Herdt, because of gambling debts.

The three men had stormed into a bank in the northern German city of Uelzen, stolen 240,000 euros [$235,000], taken two women as hostages and then sped off with police in hot pursuit.

The three then sped across Germany and Poland before entering the Ukraine where they were finally arrested after one hostage escaped and the other was freed.

Epic journey

"It didn't take long to convince them [to commit the robbery] because I told them that I was in serious danger because of my gambling debts and that I had no other solution," French news agency AFP quoted Mr Fischer as saying.

In an ironic twist, he revealed he had once worked at a bank himself, where he said he had been fired for "irregularities".

Mr Fischer said that the trio carried out the attack after fortifying themselves with beer, wine, vodka and schnapps.

Later, while fleeing the police, Mr Fischer added that the three had fired warning shots in the air to deter the police, but said it "didn't seem to bother them".

Their escape disintegrated rapidly into farce, losing one hostage - who escaped during a refuelling stop in Poland, while another was eventually freed shortly before they three were arrested.

'Crazy'

Riot police and snipers had been lying in wait when the robbers eventually came to a halt after the 1,000km (620-mile) pursuit and were arrested by Ukrainian authorities.

"We were ready to give up right from the start," Mr Fischer admitted.

"We knew in Poland that what we were doing was absolutely crazy."

The men were extradited to Germany for trial last month.

They are all charged with robbery, taking hostages and extortion, for which they face up to 15 years in prison.