A 32-year-old French businessman has escaped with a suspended sentence after his arrest for drunk-driving and criminal damage.

The holidaymaker, who was staying in neighbouring Beausoleil, was apprehended after trying to force the barrier at the Larvotto underground car park shortly after 05:00 on Monday, August 6, local French-language daily Monaco Matin reported.

He was stopped at Place du Casino and found to have a blood alcohol level of 1.43 grammes per litre of blood.

The court was told that the accused had 13 previous convictions in France, for a range of offences including falsifications of checks, theft, narcotics, scams, and driving without a licence.

The criminal court sentenced him to a two-month suspended prison sentence, a fine of 1,500 euros, a further 500 euros fine, and payment of 210 euros for damage, as proposed by the prosecuting counsel.