Drunk driver in possession of cocaine crashes with child on board

Monaco takes tough but fair stance on drunken man arrested with cocaine while driving his child in his car.

A man was given a four-month suspended prison sentence, including eight days in prison, following an incident in Monaco where he was caught driving under the influence with his child in the car and a stash of cocaine on board.

The 40-year-old man, who had already been the subject of seven criminal convictions in Monaco, France and Switzerland, was ordered to undergo compulsory treatment for his drug addiction problems.

The last episode occurred on September 29 at the Portier roundabout. The man’s erratic driving led to a minor collision, which required police intervention. The police quickly noted his intoxication and suspicions of drug use, which were confirmed when they found 7.65 grams of cocaine in the vehicle. During the hearing, the man presented himself as emotionally distraught, pleading for understanding due to his problems with alcohol and drug addiction, which he said stemmed from a series of relationship breakups .

“I have been drinking alcohol every day for two years and I started using cocaine three years ago,” he told the court. Despite his addictions, the man insisted he was not involved in drug trafficking, explaining that he had bought the drugs in Nice for his personal use.

While recognizing his remorse and the support of his current partner, the prosecutor underlined the seriousness of his actions, especially since he was driving under the influence with his child in the car. “The behavior displayed is completely inappropriate for a person with parental responsibilities,” argued assistant prosecutor Christine Mutiloa, noting that the quantity of cocaine found suggested that it was intended for shared consumption rather than personal use. .

The court recognized the seriousness of the offenses but counterbalanced its judgment by imposing a suspended sentence. The man was also handed a three-year driving ban and a €400 fine, in the hope that compulsory treatment will help him turn his life around.