Man sentenced after punching woman in viral video

‘She just wanted him to learn a lesson,’ victim’s lawyer says

A man who punched a young woman in Paris, causing outrage after footage of the attack was shared widely on social media, has been jailed for six months and ordered to pay a €2,000 fine.

The sentence also includes a further six months of jail time which has been suspended.

Lawyers said that the defendant, who is known only by the name Firas M, will also have to undergo treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.

Marie Laguerre, a student, posted a video of the man attacking her on Facebook on 25 July.

Firas M can be seen throwing an ashtray at her during an altercation outside a cafe in Paris.

He then walked back to her and punched her in the face.

Three men and a woman challenged him but eventually let him go.

The clip triggered a debate about sexual harassment in France and increased support for plans to punish such behaviour on France's streets with fines.

Days after the video went viral, lawmakers adopted a law imposing fines of €750 that can be issued on the spot to cat-callers and aggressively lecherous people.

“My client wanted a punishment but she didn’t want his head to roll, she just wanted him to learn a lesson,” said Noemie Saidi-Cottier, Ms Laguerre’s lawyer.

The defendant was convicted of aggravated violence with an object used as a weapon, not for sexual harassment, as the new law was passed after the assault.

Reuters contributed to this report