Marouan A., 33, was sentenced this Monday to one year in prison, including six months, for acts of violence dating back to Christmas Eve.
A hearing initially postponed: for the magistrates of the Compiègne court, it was essential to have a psychiatric assessment carried out given the seriousness of the alleged facts.
What could have ended in tragedy played out on Christmas night.
It was almost 2 a.m. on December 25 when the owner of a pizzeria in downtown Noyon saw one of his employees screaming on the phone, a knife in hand, in the parking lot adjoining the business.
He decides to call the police.
A check is carried out but nothing seems to worry the soldiers who let the individual leave.
Three hours later, another call for “an attack with a saw”.
When the police arrive, the restaurant owner is in the ambulance, conscious, with a wound on his head.
He explains to them that Marouan A. accused him of having called the brigade before hitting him with a saw and running after him, weapon in hand, while threatening to kill him.
An employee on site confirms the scene.
Marouan A. vanished.
“I drink when things aren’t going well”
A little later, during his hearing, the boss confirmed his statements.
CCTV cameras report the scenario.
“I ran behind him, but I did not threaten him,” the defendant tries to minimize.
I helped him set up his business, I worked tirelessly for him but he didn't pay me.
He was the one who came and threatened me and hit me with a chair.
He then took a saw which I managed to recover.
» Marouan A. confirms having drunk a liter of vodka that day.
“I drink when things aren’t going well,” he says.
The man could not be found until December 31 and did not respond to police summons.
A search warrant then had to be issued against him.
He was caught at the last minute at Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle airport (Val-d'Oise) when he had taken a flight to Tunisia where he is from.
“I was just going to see my sick father.
I was going to return to France afterwards,” he assures.
The medical certificate drawn up by the psychiatrist does not mention any disorder that could impair his judgment, apart from his massive consumption of alcohol.
Upon his release from prison, the defendant will have to undergo addiction treatment for two years.
He will no longer have to return to Noyon, as he is prohibited from making contact with his ex-employer.