Fact Check: "Judge ruled health issues prevent incarceration of 'grandpa robbers'."
What We Know
In May 2025, a Paris court convicted eight individuals, dubbed the "grandpa robbers," for their involvement in a high-profile robbery of reality TV star Kim Kardashian in 2016. The court's ruling included a significant consideration of the defendants' health issues and advanced ages. Judge David De Pas stated that "the state of health of the main protagonists ethically prohibits incarcerating anyone" (source-1, source-2). Among the defendants, Didier Dubreucq, aged 69, was diagnosed with lung cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy at the time of the trial. He was sentenced to seven years, with five years suspended, and did not serve additional time due to having already spent two years in pre-trial detention (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that health issues influenced the judge's decision to prevent incarceration is substantiated by the court's statements and the circumstances surrounding the defendants. The judge explicitly cited health concerns as a factor in determining the leniency of the sentences. This is corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including the New York Times and NPR, which reported that the court considered the defendants' advanced ages and health conditions when imposing sentences that were mostly suspended.
The credibility of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The statements from Judge De Pas reflect a legal and ethical consideration that aligns with broader discussions about the treatment of elderly and ill individuals within the justice system. The judge's remarks indicate a deliberate choice to balance justice with compassion, acknowledging the defendants' health issues while still holding them accountable for their crimes (source-3, source-5).
Conclusion
The claim that a judge ruled health issues prevent the incarceration of the "grandpa robbers" is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the judge explicitly cited the health conditions of the defendants as a significant factor in the sentencing decisions, leading to mostly suspended sentences rather than incarceration.
Sources
- Kim Kardashian 'grandpa robber' dies month after trial
- Paris Court Convicts Eight in 2016 Robbery of Kim Kardashian
- Kim Kardashian's robbers found guilty in Paris but won't return to prison
- 'Grandpa robbers' guilty: 8 convicted in Kim Kardashian robbery trial
- 'Grandpa Robbers' found guilty in Kardashian robbery
- Grandpa robbers sentenced to prison
