French man jailed for drugging children's tennis rivals

A French man has been convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison for drugging his children's tennis rivals, leading to …

A French man has been convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison for drugging his children's tennis rivals, leading to one death.

Former military pilot Christophe Fauviau had confessed to the crime during the trial in Mont-de-Marsan in south-western France.

Fauviau was accused of drugging his children's opponents 27 times in tournaments across France from 2000 to 2003, using the anti-anxiety drug Temesta, which can cause drowsiness.

Prosecutor Serge Mackowiack had asked for eight to 10 years imprisonment - below the 20 years maximum for the charge of unintentionally causing death by administering toxic substances.

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In asking for the lighter sentence, Mackowiack said Fauviau had been a good soldier and said he did not seek to kill or injure the players.

Still, the prosecutor described Fauviau as "an adult who turned his children into objects of his own fantasies of success" and whose actions were premeditated.

AP