Repentant Galliano escapes jail over tirade of insults

The court found Galliano guilty on two counts of “public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity” – charges that carry a maximum sentence of six months in prison and fines of up to 20,000 euros (£17,400).

But the three-magistrate panel showed leniency, sentencing the legendary designer to a 6,000 euro (£5,200) suspended fine, which means it goes on Galliano’s criminal record but he does not have to pay it. The court did not give Galliano prison time.

Presiding judge Anne-Marie Sauteraud said the magistrates’ clemency was in part due to the fact that the designer apologised to the court and the plaintiffs, who contended that Galliano showered them with a litany of racist and anti-Semitic insults in two separate run-ins at a Paris bar.

In testimony before the court in June, Galliano said he didn’t recall anything about the spats and explained he had been under the influence of a “triple addiction” to alcohol, barbiturates and sleeping pills. Still, he added he was sorry for “the sadness that this whole affair has caused”.

“It is a wise ruling,” Galliano’s lawyer Aurelien Hamelle told journalists outside the courtroom.

“Mr. Galliano is clearly relieved ...and asked me to apologise for him once again.”