France prop Mohamed Haouas cops 15 month suspended sentence

France prop Mohamed Haouas has been handed a suspended sentence for his role in a spate of burglaries in 2014.

The long-running criminal court case has now been settled, with Haouas given a 15-month suspended sentence and ordered to pay a €15,000 fine. Haouas will be questioned regarding an alleged robbery of tobacconists in the Montpellier area nearly eight years ago, in which it alleged he handled a stolen vehicle.

The thefts were said to be worth in the ten of thousands of euros.

The 27-year-old previously spent four days in custody for his suspected involvement in the 2014 incident.

Haouas is part of Fabien Galthie's squad for this year's tournament but had been withdrawn ahead this weekend's game with Italy in Paris.

The 122kg tighthead was apparently linked to the burglary as a result of CCTV evidence shown to police, which depicted one man who “moved like a rugby player”.

A French court heard how Haous' journey from the streets and a potential life in crime to international rugby presented a great example for young people.

“It’s an exemplary journey for young people, and I realise that,” said the prosecutor in the case. “He wants to repay his debt and close this chapter."

Giving evidence by way of character reference, the defendant's father said: "We ate at charity-run restaurants, we lived in hostels, it was a little bit difficult. I struggled in life, I sorted things out, I’m proud of having built a family, a home."

As yet there has been no comment from the FFR or Montpellier on the matter.

The Montpellier prop made his international Test debut against England in 2020 and has been caught up in a number of firey incidents, not least decking Scotland Jamie Ritchie in the Six Nations with a big right hand in (pictured above).

Team: 15-Melvyn Jaminet, 14-Damian Penaud, 13-Jonathan Danty, 12-Gael Fickou, 11-Gabin Villiere, 10-Romain Ntamack, 9-Antoine Dupont (capt.), 8-Gregory Alldritt, 7-Dylan Cretin, 6-Anthony Jelonch, 5-Paul Willemse, 4-Cameron Woki, 3-Uini Atonio, 2-Julien Marchand, 1-Cyril Baille. Replacements: 16-Peato Mauvaka, 17-Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18-Demba Bamba, 19-Romain Taofifenua, 20-Francois Cros, 21-Maxime Lucu, 22-Yoram Moefana, 23-Thomas Ramos.