Chalon: prisoner on day release offers drugs to off-duty police officer before beating him
A man in his thirties placed under day-release conditions offered cannabis to a police officer who was enjoying his free time to exercise, before physically assaulting him.
Chalon: prisoner on day release offers drugs to off-duty police officer before beating him
A police officer on leave was confronted at square Chabas in Chalon-sur-Saône by an individual who was selling narcotics. The incident took place on Friday 3 July, according to information reported by Info-Chalon.com.
The perpetrator, a 32-year-old man, was detained at the Varennes-le-Grand prison centre and was benefiting from a day-release arrangement. This provision allowed him to work outside the prison during the day whilst returning to his cell in the evening. On that Friday, he was carrying 22 grammes of cannabis resin and had consumed alcohol, despite being required to devote his day to rehabilitation activities.
The prisoner approached the officer who was training on the sports equipment and suggested he buy marijuana. When the man working out asked him if he had equipment for smoking, the dealer lost control. He threw several punches and a kick, most of which were dodged or blocked, except for one final direct hit that struck the officer. The officer fought back.
The arrival of law enforcement triggered a new phase of hostilities. The trafficker attempted to flee, resisted whilst being handcuffed, and insulted the officers.
Brought before the court in immediate appearance on Monday 6 July, the defendant was found guilty of insult and violence. The judges, however, acquitted him of the charge of rebellion, considering that the mere concealment of his hands did not constitute the violence characteristic of that offence. The sentence imposed amounted to twenty months of imprisonment with continued detention.
During proceedings, the public prosecutor's representative had sought a penalty of two years' imprisonment along with a committal warrant, pointing to the defendant's serious criminal history: fourteen previous convictions, including eight for acts of violence. The defence argued for a conviction with post-release supervision, highlighting the rehabilitation efforts undertaken through day release.
The man in his thirties apologised to the officers. The two police officers were admitted as civil parties and the convicted man must pay them damages for the harm suffered.
Source: Google News FR — Crime (fr)