Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

130kg France prop given suspended sentence for attack on partner

Wilfrid Hounkpatin /Getty

France prop Wilfrid Hounkpatin has received a suspended prison sentence for domestic violence at a court sitting in France.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 32-year-old – who appeared for Les Bleus in 2021 – faced charges in January following allegations of an attack on his partner.

The giant tighthead was convicted on Wednesday, resulting in a twelve-month prison sentence suspended over a two-year probation period.

Video Spacer

Boks Office on how physical France vs England will be | RPTV

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 1:02
Loaded: 16.03%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 1:02
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    Boks Office on how physical France vs England will be | RPTV

    The Boks Office crew preview France vs England in the final round of the Six Nations. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

    Watch now

    During his probation Hounkpatin is under strict conditions to avoid reoffending.

    Failure to comply could result in actual imprisonment.

    As part of the probation terms Hounkpatin is forbidden from visiting his ex-partner’s residence – although exceptions are made for childcare purposes. He is also required to participate in a course on intra-family violence and is barred from carrying weapons of any kind.

    Public prosecutor Claire-Marie de Agostini remarked on the necessity for individuals respected in professional settings, such as rugby, to maintain that respect within their personal lives. “It’s a bit like an amateur rugby team against the France national team when you see the clash of sizes,” said De Agostini.

    The case details revealed a moment of anger stemming from the victim’s discovery of Hounkpatin’s cheating through his phone which ultimately led to a physical confrontation.

    Hounkpatin’s now ex-partner – who is the mother of his three children – took his phone from him and discovered the cheating. The 6’4, 130kg prop slammed her onto a mattress-less bed frame after kicking down a door in order to to get his phone back and “control her”.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “I exerted pressure on the lower neck… I was never violent with her. I try to contain my force as best as possible,” he told the court.

    While it was his first act of physicial violence against his partner, the court heard how it came following years of psychological abuse on his, with the victim noting a change in Hounkpatin’s behaviour correlating with his success and increased earnings in rugby.

    In his defence Hounkpatin claimed the emotional strain of professional rugby has taken a toll on him, describing players such as himself as “pieces of meat” used by the sport. He highlighted the personal challenges faced in balancing the physical demands of his rugby career with family life.

    The case is strikingly similar to that of Mohamed Haouas who was convicted of a similar attack on his wife, after he slapped her violently after catching her smoking. Haouas received a one-year prison sentence for domestic violence. The Montpellier prop got an adjustable sentence and managed to avoid jail.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Related

     

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | First Match | Full Match Replay

    Did the Lions loosies get away with murder? And revisiting the Springboks lift | Whistle Watch

    The First Test, Visiting The Great Barrier Reef & Poetry with Pierre | Ep 6: The Ultimate Test

    KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

    New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    USA vs England | Men's International | Full Match Replay

    France v Argentina | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    Lions Share | Episode 4

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    1 Comment
    B
    Bull Shark 476 days ago

    What a hero.

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    TRENDING
    TRENDING British & Irish Lions make 7 changes for second Test versus Wallabies British & Irish Lions make 6 changes for second Test versus Wallabies