A 32-year-old British man, a repeat offender, has been sentenced to 15 weeks in prison for drunk driving in Monaco, Monaco-Matin initially reports. The case, which required two court hearings, highlighted the man’s struggle with alcohol and his dangerous driving habits, as seen through video surveillance on Friday, September 13.
Initially arrested with a blood alcohol level of 0.67 mg/l, the man was immediately tried and sentenced to three weeks in prison, along with an additional three months after the revocation of a suspended sentence from a prior conviction in 2022. His driving license was revoked, and he is banned from applying for a new one for two years. The court also ordered him to undergo mandatory treatment for alcoholism for the next three years.
The court’s decision aimed to address not only the legal consequences of his reckless behavior but also the underlying issues of his addiction. The man attributed his drinking problem to personal struggles, including a strained relationship with a suicidal partner and a lifestyle of idleness.
“You are a danger,” prosecutor Emmanuelle Carniello stated, stressing the need for a stricter sentence. Initially, the prosecution had called for six months of imprisonment and the revocation of the previous suspended sentence.
At the first hearing, the visibly anxious defendant tried to explain his behavior, admitting he had consumed an excessive amount of alcohol due to personal worries. He told the court he drank between 10 to 15 cans of beer in the early morning hours because of his partner’s illness, which had caused him to panic.
Judge Florestan Bellinzona, presiding over the case, postponed the sentencing until a psychiatric evaluation could be completed. At the second hearing, the judge acknowledged the man’s newfound awareness of his alcoholism. However, the prosecutor remained unconvinced, stating, “It’s a failure! The treatment has been ineffective, and there’s no understanding of the dangers of driving after drinking.”
In his defense, the man’s lawyer highlighted his troubled background, including an alcoholic mother and ongoing anxiety issues. The defense argued that an extended prison sentence would be unbearable for someone already dealing with personal and emotional challenges, requesting community service or a split sentence as an alternative.
Ultimately, the court showed leniency but issued a stern warning. The man was sentenced to 15 weeks in prison and instructed to seek further treatment. Judge Bellinzona cautioned that any future offences could result in even harsher penalties, stating, “Be careful with the next incident—you could face an additional six months.”
