Gerard Depardieu, embroiled in a high-profile tax row that saw the French actor take Russian nationality and angrily vow to quit France, failed to turn up Tuesday in a Paris court to face drunk driving charges.
The 64-year-old star, who has admitted driving his scooter while intoxicated, would have escaped with a small fine and penalty points on his driving licence if he had appeared.
He had been due to appear for sentencing Tuesday but now faces a criminal court hearing which may lead to a fine of 4,500 euros ($5,900) and a possible prison sentence of up to two years.
He was detained in the French capital in November after falling off his scooter, which he had been riding while more than three times over the legal alcohol limit.
