Mayor fined for slapping youth

A MAYOR has been given a suspended sentence of a €1,000 fine for slapping a youth who had threatened him after being told off for climbing a new fence.

Maurice Boisart, the mayor of Cousolre in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, was also ordered to pay €250 in damages and the boy's legal costs. The youth had previously been told in court to pay €250 in damages to the mairie.

Boisart had refused the prosecutor's offer of a €500 fine for slapping the 15-year-old and the judge said he was motivated by the difference between the triviality of the youth's offence and the severity of the mayor's reaction.

The 62-year-old had told the youth off for climbing the fence - and the boy had abused him and threatened to kill him before being slapped.