Moroccan Teenager Avoids Jail in Monaco After Stealing Scooters on New Year's Eve

An 18-year-old Moroccan, amidst a journey between Italy and Spain in search of a better future, narrowly escaped imprisonment after being convicted of stealing two electric scooters in Monaco on New Year's Eve. The Monaco Criminal Court handed down a three-month suspended sentence and imposed a five-year ban from entering the principality. The teenager, who was emotional during the proceedings, expressed his regret and promised not to repeat his actions.

The incident unfolded when the young man, seeking transportation, took one scooter from a parking lot and subsequently another from Avenue Princesse Grace after the battery of the first one depleted. Monaco police apprehended him and a younger associate early in the morning; however, charges against the accomplice were dismissed amid uncertainties about his age and identity.

During the trial, presided over by Judge Évelyne Husson, the defendant conveyed his financial struggles in Morocco and his aspiration for stability in Europe. Despite acknowledging his desperation, Judge Husson emphasized the importance of respecting legal boundaries. The prosecution and defense highlighted his cooperation during the investigation and his clean slate in Monaco, advocating for leniency. Ultimately, the court decided on a suspended sentence, with Judge Husson sternly cautioning against a return to Monaco, which would be deemed criminal.