2023-11-19 09:23:00
Explanations appreciated by the young people, even if some seem disappointed: it’s not today that they will come across “guys like the ones we see on Netflix”, murmurs one of them. But when Driss (not his real name) arrives handcuffed and accompanied by five police officers, the young people seem excited. “Ah, him, it’s going to be good, you’ll see.”
Escape
Driss arrives straight from Saint Gilles prison, without really knowing why he finds himself facing the judge. “All I know is that someone came to take me from my cell. They told me “Palais”, and so I understood that we were coming here. For what ? I don’t know”.
However, Driss is accused of having tried to rob a bar, armed with a hammer. He also allegedly stole the bicycle of an individual – present as a victim. During his arrest, Driss allegedly threatened one of the police officers, explaining that “if he was not handcuffed, he would have kicked him in the head”. To top it all off, at the time of his arrest, the defendant was on the run.
“This is not correct,” Driss begins in his defense, alone, because he does not have a lawyer. I went into a brasserie and I had almost 800 euros in my pocket. So I don’t see why I would go and steal money when I had some.” He continues: “This guy’s bike,” he said, pointing at the victim, “I didn’t steal it from him. I had my own bike. If he wants, I’ll give him his money back even if I haven’t done anything. Otherwise, well, the cop didn’t respect me, so I didn’t respect the cop and I answered him. I told him take the handcuffs off me and we’ll see. But that’s not threats.”
As for this story of escape, it is an unfortunate misunderstanding according to the defendant. The story is not clear, but it seems that he was released on conditions – wearing an electronic bracelet – but that he had to move when his accommodation was renovated. “I found myself, quote unquote, a little homeless. In short, I had no more address to communicate for the bracelet. But it’s not an escape. I had 22 days left in detention. And when I was arrested for this story that you are telling me about today, I was told that I was going to prison to finish these 22 days.”
Thirteen years in prison
Driss admits to having “exaggerated” on the day of the events, but not to the point of ending up in court. “I really, really, drank a lot that day, although it’s not my style, I haven’t drunk for years. But I had bad news. I know justice. I did thirteen years in prison for real stuff. Not for stories like what you’re saying here.”
The president returns to the pedigree of Driss who has, in fact, been convicted on multiple occasions for drug, theft and concealment cases. “You say you did nothing, but there is a victim here who says the opposite,” retorts the judge. The latter then asks the victim if she wishes to become a civil party. But the victim refuses. “All I want is for Monsieur to get back on the right path. May God guide him.”
Then the prosecutor intervenes. “The gentleman has already been sentenced to a total of 248 months in prison, or 20 years, and he has actually served 13 years. Obviously he knows his way around justice, but that doesn’t stop him from being here again. He admits things. But that doesn’t change the root of the problem because he says he did all this under the influence of alcohol and I’m afraid he’ll drink again and do even worse. We must protect society. I therefore ask for a three-year sentence, firm.”
Driss speaks one last time. He says he won’t drink anymore, that it was exceptional, that he has a job, a wife and soon, a child. “I have 42 years old. I spent part of my life in prison, now I want to do something else”. Then he approaches the victim and apologizes. “Thank you for your words,” slips Driss.
Judgment on December 1.
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