a millionaire facing judges for violence

A seizure that turns sour in a posh apartment. This Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the trial of Patrick McKillen. This hotel magnate of Irish origin was on trial for having assaulted a bailiff last June, while she was carrying out an inventory of his accommodation to be seized at Place Vendôme. A sentence of 8 months suspended prison sentence and 10,000 euros fine was required.

A luxury hotel tycoon

This Wednesday is a morning like any other for the 33rd chamber of the criminal court. The sword of justice falls to the rhythm of the petty offenses that parade before the single judge. But suddenly, between a driver under cannabis and a fake taxi driveran improbable name appears on the audience schedule: Patrick McKillen.

The name is known throughout the world. It is carried by a Irish hotel magnate. Among his real estate holdings worthy of a good game of Monopoly, a renowned five-star hotel in Aix-en-Provence. On the hearing schedule, surprising accusations target the extremely wealthy defendant: violence and contempt against a public service officer.

A referral request rejected

Unfortunately for fans of the British “gentry”, the self-made man from across the Channel is not present in the small courtroom. His lawyer, Me Jean-Marc Fédidaexplains to the judges the reason for this absence. The millionaire, soon to be 70 years old, would be hospitalized. However, the council does not provide any supporting documentation.

In other chambers of the court, the case would have been postponed to a later date, as the trials of Stéphane Plaza and Gérard Depardieu showed. But at the 33rd, the stock of audiences is too high. Just before the millionaire, a young man also tried to postpone the deadline, explaining that he did not have a lawyer. Nothing to do. The petty criminal and the tycoon will be placed in the same boat, and judged immediately.

“P… bailiff”

After this decision, the president of the court proceeds to read this incredible story. It is June 25, 2024. Patrick McKillen's apartment must be seized. The property is located on Place Vendôme, in the middle of luxury jewelry stores and the Ministry of Justice. On this summer afternoon, a usher visits the site to carry out an inventory. Locksmiths are there to allow the court officer to enter the apartment. After several hours, the door finally gives way. That’s when the owner shows up.

At this point, two versions will diverge. The bailiff explains to the stunned tycoon the reason for her presence. According to the victim, the latter then got angry and would have violently pushed the young woman with both hands. “I lost my balance and tripped,” the victim told the court. The defendant also allegedly uttered the insults: “fucking bailiff” on several occasions. In the language of Molière, it means “p… bailiff”. The police were called and the businessman arrested.

At the bar, the bailiff explains that violence is usually a rare phenomenon in this type of situation. “As long as I come with respect, there are no insults,” she slips. She mentions the fact of having informed the concierge and the building trustee of her arrival. The young woman, who still remains marked by these facts, requests 500 euros in damages to the defendant. “The investigation leaves no room for doubt. These are unacceptable and intolerable facts,” notes his lawyer. I Marine Route in his pleading.

An “extremely honorable” reputation

On the other side of the courtroom, the millionaire, through his lawyer, explains that he was not warned of the state of affairs in advance. “My client was returning from Japan with a 14-hour flight. Arriving from Roissy airport, he discovered four people in front of his house and his door broken. The surprise is total,” relates Me Jean-Marc Fédida. The latter also declares that the victim would not have presented his professional card when the millionaire arrives.

Concerning the violence, the lawyer is categorical: his client did not raise his hand against the bailiff at any time. For insults, he evokes a poor linguistic interpretation. “Fucking is an expression that means surprise. If you are a fan of films with Robert De Niro, you will see that their dialogues are full of this type of interjection,” argued the lawyer, addressing the president. The latter also painted an unblemished portrait of his client: “He is a man of almost 70 years old with an extremely honorable reputation.”

Eight months suspended prison sentence required

“Monsieur may be an honorable man, but he is far from being an exemplary man,” replied the public prosecutor in his requisitions. For the magistrate, the facts are clear and deserve condemnation. A suspended prison sentence of 8 months and a fine of 10,000 euros was requested by the prosecution. “It’s excessive,” blasted the defense lawyer. The hearing was put under advisement.

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