During her testimony in a Paris court, Kim Kardashian described the robbery as the most terrifying experience of her life. Eight individuals, primarily pensioners, have been found guilty in connection with the theft of jewellery worth £7.5 million from the American socialite at gunpoint.
The incident occurred during Paris Fashion Week in October 2016, when Kardashian was bound and threatened with a firearm by a group known as ‘the grandpa robbers’. The perpetrators escaped with the stolen jewellery, including a £3.7 million ring gifted to Kardashian by her former husband, the rapper Kanye West.
The group comprised nine men and one woman with an average age of 70 and faced charges of armed robbery, kidnapping and gang affiliation. While eight were convicted, two defendants accused of providing information to the robbers were acquitted. Due to time served in pretrial detention, the guilty parties will not serve additional prison time.
In her response to the verdict, Kardashian spoke of the lasting impact of the crime on herself and her family, emphasising the importance of growth, accountability and healing. Aomar Ait Khedache, also known as ‘Old Omar’, admitted restraining Kardashian but denied orchestrating the robbery. In a statement to the courtroom, he asked for forgiveness.
The sentences handed down to the convicted individuals varied, with Ait Khedache receiving eight years in prison, five of which were suspended. The prosecutor general had requested a 10-year sentence. Harminy Aït Khedache, the getaway driver who claimed ignorance of the robbery, was sentenced to five years, four of which were suspended. Yunice Abbas, who wrote a book about his involvement titled I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian, was given a seven-year sentence, with two years suspended. Didier Dubreucq, one of the thieves who stole Kardashian’s jewellery, was given a seven-year sentence, with two years suspended. Marc-Alexandre Boyer, the youngest member of the group at 35, was also involved in the crime.
Marc Boyer, his father, was sitting in the hotel lobby with Abbas when he was fined €5,000 for possession of a weapon. Christiane Glotin, aged 80, who acted as the ‘criminal secretary’, was given a four-year suspended sentence. François Delaporte, who was charged with providing and possessing false documents, was given a three-year suspended prison sentence. Explore new perspectives with acclaimed British journalism. Enjoy a complimentary one-month trial of The Telegraph, granting you unlimited access to our award-winning website and app, as well as special offers and more.
