The Lille prosecutor’s office requested, this Wednesday, March 16, three years in prison, including one firm, against this former Lille police officer tried for “aggravated theft”, “breaking of seals” and “laundering”. He had stolen items belonging to at least five deceased, between 2009 and 2011, as part of his service. The deliberation is expected on May 4.
Defendant pleads financial hardship
During the hearing, this former police captain mentioned financial difficulties to justify these thefts: “these flights did not change my lifestyle but allowed me to hold on until the end of the month“. It targets material that is easily resalable on the internet, explaining to be “in denial” : “I knew about these wrongdoings, but I told myself that nothing would happen to me, because I was otherwise doing a good job.“.
The former civil servant, dismissed in 2014, expressed his regrets during the hearing: “I’m sorry I wasted my life when I had everything to be happy. I can no longer see my colleagues who were my friends. It’s a big mess, I really loved what I was doing. I screwed it all up, I’d be mad if the victims weren’t.“The prosecutor points out several inconsistencies in her justifications.
The psychological assessment of the defendant does not reveal any pathology but a narcissistic fault with a particular requirement to be appreciated for what he does. The defense lawyer highlights the very good record of service in the Police.
Confidence in the police is damaged for civil parties
One of the defense lawyers hammers it: “it’s the trust that’s broken“. The Public Prosecutor takes up the same idea and requires in this sense a permanent ban on practicing in the police.
These are extremely rare facts that undermine any confidence that citizens may have in the national police. The Public Prosecutor
For the Prosecutor, the defendant did not really need money but rather wanted to be able to lead the lifestyle he wanted. She again underlines the inconsistencies, the incompatibilities in her speech. The deliberation is expected on May 4..
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