An 18-year-old from Nice has been sentenced to community service after admitting to stealing and attempting to steal motorcycle helmets from underground car parks in Monaco, as reported by Monaco-Matin…
The teenager, an apprentice in the automotive industry with no previous convictions, appeared before Monaco Criminal Court on Wednesday, September 2, after spending 48 hours in police custody and a night in pre-trial detention.
The offences took place on August 16, 29 and 30 and involved several young people entering public car parks, including those at the Hôtel de Paris, Casino and Monaco railway station, in search of valuable motorcycle helmets. Two suspects were arrested, whilst others are reportedly still being sought.
The defendant admitted the offences, telling the court that he had fallen in with the wrong crowd and allowed himself to be carried along.
Prosecutors sought an eight-month suspended prison sentence and a ten-year ban from Monaco. His defence lawyer instead argued for leniency, describing him as an opportunist rather than a hardened criminal.
The court ordered him to complete one month of community service within 18 months, remain in work or pursue employment as part of his sentence, and compensate the three victims a total of €1,156.
He was also banned from Monaco for five years. Failure to comply with the sentence could result in three months’ imprisonment.
Image: Ambitious Studio | Rick Barrett