A Moroccan teenager narrowly avoided jail time after being convicted of stealing two electric scooters in Monaco on New Year’s Eve. The 18-year-old, who said he was traveling between Italy and Spain in search of a better future, broke down in tears as he pleaded for leniency in front of the Monaco Criminal Court, Monaco-Matin reports.
The thefts occurred in the early hours of Friday, December 31, with the young man taking one scooter from a parking lot and another from Avenue Princesse Grace after the first ran out of battery. Police arrested him at 4:30 in the morning, along with a younger accomplice. Charges against the second individual were later dropped due to questions surrounding his age and identity.
Speaking through an interpreter, the defendant explained his struggles and motivation for traveling to Europe. He described leaving Morocco to escape financial hardship and search for stability, saying, “It’s hard to leave my family behind. In Morocco, we earned very little, and it was never enough. I only have a family friend in Italy to rely on.” The presiding judge, Évelyne Husson, reminded him of the consequences of his actions, stating, “You deprive people of their means of transport so you can travel. The best way to reach Spain is to do so legally.” The young man, visibly shaken, pleaded for forgiveness. “I didn’t expect to end up in prison. It was a mistake, and I promise it won’t happen again,” he said.
Attorney General Stéphane Thibault noted the defendant’s cooperative behaviour during the investigation and advocated for leniency. “Of the two suspects, he showed the most sincerity and respect. We want to give him a chance,” Thibault said, recommending a suspended sentence of three to four months, including ten days in custody, and a five-year ban from Monaco.
Defence attorney Violaine Rapaire emphasised her client’s remorse and lack of a criminal record in Monaco. She argued that a fully suspended sentence was more appropriate given his age and the circumstances. “This was a foolish act, but he has taken responsibility,” she said.
The court sentenced the defendant to a three-month suspended prison term and a five-year ban from entering Monaco. Judge Husson warned him, “If you return, it will be considered a crime.” Overwhelmed with relief, the young man tearfully thanked the court for sparing him imprisonment and promised to stay on the right path.
