|
|
François B., who, as reported, stood trial in Dijon on Friday for the theft of 7,000 bottles of Burgundy, has been sentenced to a one-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of 10,000 euros. The 57-year-old married father of three worked as a maintenance technician at several prominent wine estates in Beaune. Over the past 15 years, he stole around 7,000 bottles, which he kept in cellars. The trial focussed on the years between 2017 and 2024, during which time he stole 1,059 bottles and 159 magnums from Albert Bichot and 226 bottles and 25 magnums from Joseph Drouhin. The estimated value of the wines was 641,805 euros.
François B.'s defence lawyer said that he had been diagnosed with kleptomania, i.e. a compulsive urge to steal. He did not sell or open a single one of the stolen bottles. He bought other wines for his own consumption. François B. told the judge that he had stolen the wines "to fill a void". Then it was enough for him to "sit in the middle of his cellar and look at the bottles". They were returned to their rightful owners completely intact. Albert Bichot only demanded a symbolic euro in compensation. The lawyer justified this decision as follows: "We don't want to overburden this man. He was a valued, committed employee. Therefore, as a maintenance technician, he had access to all secured premises."
Although this was one of the biggest wine thefts in the history of France, the judge handed down a suspended sentence. François B. had no previous convictions, had confessed and had derived no commercial benefit from the thefts.
(al / Source: decanter)