Repeat Offender From Britain Sentenced in Monaco for Drunk Driving

A British national, aged 32, has been sentenced to 15 weeks in prison by a court in Monaco for drunk driving, as reported by Monaco-Matin. The man, a repeat offender, was arrested with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.67 mg/l. Following the revocation of a suspended sentence from a previous 2022 conviction, his total imprisonment was extended, and he was prohibited from obtaining a new driving license for two years.

During the legal proceedings, it was disclosed that the defendant has struggled with alcoholism, exacerbated by personal difficulties including a strained relationship with a suicidal partner. The court mandated a three-year compulsory treatment for his addiction. The prosecution, advocating for a stringent response, initially sought a six-month prison term due to the gravity of his repeated offenses and the ineffectiveness of prior interventions.

Judge Florestan Bellinzona, overseeing the case, delayed sentencing to allow for a psychiatric evaluation, underscoring the seriousness with which the court viewed the defendant's alcohol dependency and its implications. Despite the defense's plea for a lesser, potentially non-custodial sentence citing the man’s challenging personal circumstances, the court upheld a custodial sentence but emphasized the necessity for ongoing treatment. Judge Bellinzona warned of more severe consequences for any future offenses, signaling a strict stance on repeat drunk driving incidents in the principality.