He had killed his wife with his bare hands: the Ardennes criminal court sentenced a 53-year-old man to 12 years in prison on Friday for the murder of his wife in January 2020 in a context of domestic violence.
The defendant, Philippe Lefort, will also have to respect a socio-judicial follow-up for four years.
On the night of January 4 to 5, 2020, the victim, Anne-Sophie Lefort, 48, was found dead in the family apartment in Givet, in the Ardennes.
Her husband had admitted to having hit her very violently and then strangled her.
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At the helm, he expressed "
his sincere regrets
", highlighting his desire "
to rebuild
" for the couple's son, and to "
turn a page
".
The court followed the general counsel, Marlène Borde, who had requested twelve years of criminal imprisonment, with a socio-judicial follow-up of six years.
The magistrate pointed out "
the risk of recidivism
" and "
the logic of repetition
" of this former heavyweight driver, already convicted in the past for acts of violence committed against his wife, but also for violence with a weapon and death threat.
The Advocate General, however, considered that the court "
could not pronounce a higher sentence
" than these twelve years, retaining elements in favor of the accused.
“
I ask you to consider his behavior in detention.
Mr. Lefort was described as discreet, respectful of staff and invested in their care.
I also ask you to observe the positive evolution of his position on the facts
,” she said.
The defense lawyer, Me Ghislain Fay estimated that the "
requisitions were up to the facts
".