A serving British soldier who stole a car early in the morning while very drunk and then crashed into an upmarket Chinese restaurant, demolishing its terrace and sending debris into a Rolls-Royce dealership, has narrowly escaped a sentence in jail.
The 25-year-old had taken the car at 6:00 am the morning of June 24 when the driver trustingly left keys in the ignition while he delivered baguettes and croissants to Costa at the Estoril building. The miscreant drove a few hundred yards before losing control at speed and hitting Song Qi on blvd Princess Grace. The impact was such that those who heard the crash feared a terrorist attack, Monaco’s Criminal Court was told.
The driver had fled the scene and was apprehended on the roof of Ni Box.
The level of alcohol in his blood was so high that the accused had no recollection of events when questioned by police, the court heard.
Defence lawyer Thomas Brezzo brought out every possible argument to avoid a prison sentence for his client, a result that would most certainly have meant his dismissal from the British military, a fact confirmed by an Army Major present in court last Friday.
Perhaps it was because the defendant had served in Iraq, fighting ISIS, as well as due to the spirited defence, that he narrowly avoided being sent immediately to jail. The court sentenced him to 12 months and 15 days in jail, suspended, plus a fine of €45. In the afternoon he was taken back to the UK to face a military court.
A further hearing will be held on September 22 to consider claims for damages: €83,160 for Song Qi (which was able to open for lunch), €75,000 for Costa and €10,895 for the Rolls-Royce dealership.
The Grimaldi Forum’s largest sponsor, CMB, has renewed its partnership for 2021, securing a world-class cultural programme for the year including the Alberto Giacometti summer expo.
Prince Albert has addressed world leaders at the One Planet Summit in France’s capital, saying that the preservation of seas and forests is the preservation of humanity.
The CSM has become the first public entity to take an interest in a private company, signing a financial deal with startup Coraliotech for its work applying coral molecules to human health.
Prince Albert says that President Trump “has to be held accountable” for his role in the riots at the United States Capitol that left five dead, including a police officer.
Nice airport’s traffic fell an astounding 68.4% in 2020. Though alarming, the slow year did allow authorities to rebuild and renovate, getting a jump on creating “the airport of tomorrow”.
Tuesday 21 November, 8.30 pm, Variety Theatre
All the Art of the Cinema – Screening of Lino Brocka’s film Manila in the Claws of Light, organised by the Audiovisual Archives of Monaco
Information: +377 97 98 43 26