2 days Ago By Jack Brodie, Editor-in-Chief
A 37-year-old Beausoleil resident has been handed a nine-month prison sentence after a series of reckless actions in Monaco, including driving his scooter the wrong way down a one-way street, resisting police, and biting an officer. The incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, September 11, when the man, intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of 0.84 mg/l, was seen riding his scooter without a helmet on Avenue de Roqueville, near a school.
Refusing to stop for police, he continued driving dangerously close to children crossing the street. When officers caught up with him, he insulted them and attempted to flee. In the ensuing struggle, he bit one of the officers on the forearm.
In court, the defendant explained his actions by stating that he was trying to escape Monaco after drinking vodka the previous night. He denied insulting the officers but admitted he wasn’t in his normal state. The police officers involved emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting the proximity to children and the man’s refusal to comply.
Their lawyer, Christophe Sosso, highlighted the potential danger the man posed, particularly to any child crossing the street at the time. He requested damages of 1,000 euros and 1,500 euros for the officers. Prosecutor Valérie Sagné pointed to the defendant’s extensive criminal record, which includes 25 prior offenses ranging from violence to theft and drug use.
Concerned about the man’s repeated behavior, she sought a four-month prison sentence, with three months suspended, along with fines and a two-year driving ban in Monaco. However, the court went further, sentencing the man to nine months in prison, a five-year driving ban in Monaco, and the payment of damages to the officers involved..
