Man Acquitted of Kidnapping but Sentenced for Minor Assault in Colmar

Incident Details

On a day in February in Colmar, a 56-year-old man encountered an eight-year-old child near the trash cans of his building. He engaged the child in conversation and suggested giving him some items from his home. When the child hesitated, the man admitted to pulling the child's wrist to encourage him to follow, which he insisted was harmless.

Intervention and Arrest

The situation took a turn when a neighbor, noticing the interaction, intervened by taking the child to his mother, who then alerted the police. The authorities responded promptly and arrested the man.

Court Proceedings and Verdict

In court, the man faced charges of kidnapping and sequestration but was acquitted by the criminal court. However, he was found guilty of minor assault for pulling the child's wrist. The court, aligning with the prosecution's recommendations, handed down an 18-month suspended sentence with probation.

Legal Arguments and Sentencing

The defense argued that the child was not restricted from moving freely, thus dismissing the kidnapping charges but acknowledged the possibility of the wrist-pulling act being considered as violence. The prosecution highlighted the aggravating factors of the assault, noting the man's state of intoxication and the victim's minor status. Besides the suspended sentence, the man is required to undergo treatment for aggression and alcoholism and is prohibited from any contact with children for five years.

Background and Additional Context

The man had a prior conviction in 2020 for a sexual exhibition offense involving children, which likely influenced the court's decision on the contact ban and the emphasis on treatment for his behavioral issues.