Haouas a court no-show on Friday in his 'wilful violence' case
France and Montpellier prop forward Mohamed Haouas will be back in court in May charged with “wilful violence” in an incident on New Year’s Day 2014 after a court on Friday refused that he be represented by his lawyer.
Haouas received an 18-month suspended sentence in February for his part in a series of robberies of a tobacconist in April 2014 and for receiving a stolen car. The 28-year-old was, along with five others, then summoned for wilful violence in a hearing before the criminal court of Montpellier relating to a fight in a bakery.
According to an AFP wire report, his lawyer Marc Gallix told the hearing that Haouas was “at training” Friday morning before flying to Wales later in the day as Montpellier take on Ospreys in the Champions Cup.
Yann Le Targat, the lawyer for the civil parties including a man who accuses Haouas and his accomplices of having beaten him, demanded a referral of the trial to include the physical presence of the prop forward.
Prosecutor Alain Octuvon-Bazile also considered that preparation for the Champions Cup match did not justify Haouas’ absence. Judge Anne-Flore Lebondidier, while recognising that the facts were old, considered “a personal appearance necessary”.
“You have to be judged to then be able to move on in life,” she said, setting the new hearing for May 12. “I’ve looked at the calendar, it will take place after the end of the Six Nations tournament” and will not prevent Mohamed Haouas from being present, she added.
Haouas, who will move from Montpellier to Top 14 rivals Clermont on a three-year contract next season, has won 15 France caps. Although he did not play in the recent November internationals, he remains part of the France squad.
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Thanks Nick, and welcome back 😁 Vulavalu does look better this year, and about time. I suspect Schmidt will knock the hubris out of him. That one handed put down was so embarrassing. Mind you, I had thought Kiss would deal with that. Leaving aside the different games and skills, in NRL he had a very good (but no bullshit) type of coach in Bellamy, something he hasn't had in Union until this year. Bellamy would have roasted him unmercifully for an unprofessional put down.
Go to commentsYou’d think the first step would be taking responsibility for the stupid sh*t you did and to stop blaming other people. Does he seriously think that people believe him when he says it just magically got into his system without him knowing anything about it? You’re gonna notice if you’re on the juice, bruh.
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