Delivery Driver Sentenced for $16,000 Cigarette Theft, Claimed Exorcism Expenses

The events took place on July 23. The delivery driver, a 43-year-old man, father of two children, is employed in a delivery company that delivers to tobacco retailers in the region, reports La Dépêche du Midi. He admitted to the company manager that he had stolen 144 packs of cigarettes worth about 15,000 €. The latter filed a complaint with the gendarmerie. The employee will be arrested and taken into custody.

"In a letter, this employee, the defendant, acknowledges having stolen these cartons which he then resold entirely. The proceeds of the resale would have served to send money to Morocco where his girlfriend lives," says the presiding judge, Myriam Viargues. At the bar, the defendant explains that he was bewitched and under the influence of black magic. "We were talking about Africa so I confided," the Moroccan responds.

The defendant goes back on his written confessions. "You’re going to explain that you were forced to write this letter of admission of guilt, that if you did, there would be no prosecution," the magistrate continues. The family man tries to justify himself: "I thought that by agreeing to say that, he wouldn’t report me on the fact that I have two jobs and that it’s forbidden." He would work for two delivery companies. His monthly income would be around 4,000 €.

The quadragenarian sends part of this money to Morocco. "You send 1,200 € per month to this person, isn’t that a lot?" "It’s to provide for the needs of the one I love," he replied. He also sends money to this partner to pay for exorcism sessions. The public prosecutor’s office is requesting 10 months in prison. The verdict is in: the delivery driver was sentenced to six months in prison. He will also have to pay 14,886.20 € for material damage.