“I had nothing against Mr. Hamon.
It's because someone stuffed my head that I did this.
If someone had spoken to me about a scrap metal dealer or a carpenter, it is the scrap metal dealer or the carpenter who would have taken it.
Sheepish at the bar of the Nanterre Criminal Court, Richard L. thus explains the threats he made against Benoît Hamon, on the night of January 16 to 17, under the very windows of the former candidate. in the 2017 presidential election. The two men had already crossed paths, both living in neighboring buildings in the heart of Issy-les-Moulineaux.
If he did not constitute a civil party, therefore does not ask for damages, Benoît Hamon insisted on being present for the trial of his neighbor.
“I did not think long before filing a complaint, explains the regional adviser (Génération. s).
It's not the first time I've been taken to task, but this was in front of my house, at night, and in the presence of my children.
“In addition, Benoît Hamon felt in the person who insulted him at the foot of the building “a desire to fight”.
“Alcohol is over”
“I had been drinking and I met someone who spoke to me for a long time about the Socialist Party, explains the defendant at the bar.
Then I remembered that Monsieur Hamon lives next door to me.
» Without really explaining what went through his head, except that they « are all rotten », Richard L. admits having then posted himself under the windows of Benoît Hamon.
"Get out of here, son of a bitch… We'll catch you sooner or later, it's a matter of time."
»
“Maybe I said that, I don't remember.
But with this person who had stuffed my head with the PS and alcohol, here it is”, is content to repeat, this Monday, this 55-year-old father, an ordinary man with an ordinary look, and who works in Restoration.
When the court questions him about his possible political activities, Richard L. replies straight out: “I don't do politics, I don't even have a voter's card.
To hear him, he did not know that Benoît Hamon was elected to the regional council of Île-de-France.
Which is important since he was tried for "threat of crime against a public elected official".
“I had already discussed with Mr. Hamon two or three times.
He told me he was in IT, says Richard L. Anyway, whether he had a mandate or not, it wouldn't have changed anything.
»
He was sentenced to a fine of 1,500 euros, including 1,000 suspended.
And he promises: “alcohol is over”.