Through Thomas Lapointe
Published on 15 May 21 at 7:52
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If he is accused of theft in a meeting, he appeared alone in the box. A man was tried for several robberies by the court of Bobigny (Seine-Saint-Denis), Tuesday May 11, 2021.
A well-honed modus operandi
On the day of his trial, he faced three of his victims, while already serving a one-year prison sentence for similar offenses. The facts took place between November and December 2020.
Each time, the operating mode is identical. The group of young people rides in a train RER, B or D and locates a target. While one of the group members holds the victim in her seat, the others steal her. A mode identified thanks to the video surveillance present in the trains.
Electric scooters, airpods, credit card, sneakers, phones, cash or even a 17 karat gold chain, the spoils are varied. Thefts accompanied by violence: punching, kicking, slapping, sometimes after the theft. Two victims were also prescribed a temporary incapacity for work of two and six days.
“Focus on a reputation”
“He kicked me, kept me in my seat and took my wallet, ”says one of them. “I did not hit and he did not recognize me since I got off at a station other than the others, I even told him where they had gone,” replied the defendant.
This one listens to six cases that are reported to him and recognizes part of the facts. “I wanted to stop this life when my daughter was born. When my friends told me that I had become a coward, I took over with the group and I favored a reputation rather than my family, ”he explains.
During the hearing, he repeatedly expressed his desire to stop “doing the keke”, to stay away from “fights” in order to give his family “love and pride. and not that of disappointment ”. Arguments that do not however soften the prosecutor.
“I take responsibility for my mistakes”
“This group must be found guilty. Each time he targets the places of transport because it is complicated for the victim to flee but very easy for them to disappear afterwards, it is a aggravating circumstance. The accused also regularly changes his telephone line, which testifies to his professionalization. The facts are serious ”.
On the defense side, we are highlighting a “dynamic” reintegration project and a man who has “matured”. “He is already serving a sentence of 12 months in prison, which seems to me sufficient for the awareness“, Underlines the defendant’s lawyer. The latter adds: “I take responsibility for my mistakes, I do my own thing, it allows me to isolate myself and I no longer answer calls from my friends even if I know that I should have reacted sooner”.
“It’s very clear, thank you”, replies the president of the court who allows him to see his baby while awaiting the judgment. The accused was ultimately convicted of the charges, and was sentenced to one year in prison, including six months suspended.
** This sentence is subject to appeal. Any accused remains presumed innocent as long as all avenues of appeal have not been exhausted.
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