The Nanterre criminal court on Monday sentenced host Cyrille Eldin to six months in prison for psychological violence against his ex-partner, columnist Sandrine Calvayrac.
He was also convicted of unauthorized possession of a weapon and use of narcotics, but acquitted for the death threats of which he was suspected of being the author.
This sentence was accompanied by a ban on having contact with Ms. Calvayrac for two years as well as a ban on carrying a weapon for five years.
Mr. Eldin must finally pay 3,000 euros in damages to his ex-partner whose “altered psychological balance” was highlighted by the president during the deliberations.
Contrary to what had been requested by the prosecution, he was not, however, required to provide care or take an awareness course for perpetrators of domestic violence.
During the hearing, the actor and columnist who hosted several shows on Canal+, including “Le Petit Journal” between 2016 and 2017, “firmly” contested Ms. Calvayrac’s accusations.
Cyrille Eldin, 51, and Sandrine Calvayrac, 37, were a couple between 2015 and 2018, then from 2021 to 2023.
According to Mr. Eldin, it was when their son was born in March 2022 that the relationship deteriorated.
At the time of the separation, at the end of January 2023, Ms. Calvayrac left Paris, settling with her son in Martigues (Bouches-du-Rhône), where she filed a complaint.
In parallel civil proceedings, Mr. Eldin was granted visitation rights to his son every other weekend, a decision he appealed.
Faced with the criminal court, the host admitted to mutual insults but denied any violence or death threat.
Ms. Calvayrac notably accused her ex-partner of having repeatedly called her a “bitch” or even “hysterical” and of having told her “you deserve a bullet in the head” and “I’m going to cut your throat” .
“The court cannot be satisfied with an accusation which constitutes proof,” argued Sorin Margulis, Cyrille Eldin’s counsel. “None of the people interviewed specifically confirmed the comments made about Ms. Calvayrac.”
Sandine Calvayrac spoke of threats expressed “behind closed doors of the couple”. “It was a long, very difficult journey,” she said. “I took everything you can from a toxic and unhealthy relationship.”
Her lawyer, Marylou Diamantara, described this decision as “fully satisfactory” because “it recognizes Ms. Calvayrac as a victim.”
“When we are a media couple, it is terribly difficult to come and tell the reality behind closed doors,” she added, assuring that her client’s denunciations only constituted the “top of the iceberg” of the violence.
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