X Factor Star Chico Found Guilty of Drink Driving and Fined
Former X Factor contestant Chico has been convicted of drink-driving after revealing in court that his arrest occurred hours after he broke his long-standing sobriety due to overwhelming grief. Chico, whose legal name is Yousseph Slimani, testified at Willesden Magistrates’ Court that he consumed Famous Grouse whisky for six continuous hours after losing a third close friend to cancer.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing Details
The singer, now aged 55, who famously reached the quarter-finals of the 2005 X Factor series and later released the chart-topping single It’s Chico Time, appeared in court wearing a maroon silk shirt and placing his cowboy hat on the table. Slimani was found guilty of driving a Vauxhall Astra with 40 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in Chase Way, Southgate, on December 13. This exceeded the legal limit of 35mg.
As a result, District Judge Mark Jabbitt ordered Slimani to pay a £600 fine, a £240 surcharge, and £620 in costs. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months, though he was offered a drink drivers’ rehabilitation scheme that could reduce his disqualification period by a quarter if completed.
Emotional Testimony and Personal Struggles
During his emotional testimony, Slimani explained that the incident followed the devastating loss of his third friend to cancer, all of whom were in their 50s and non-smokers or non-drinkers. He stated, “On that fateful day, I’m teetotal, I don’t drink, and it felt like I was going out of my mind, couldn’t take it, so I drank.” He assured the court that he has not consumed alcohol since the event.
Slimani also disclosed that he had been taking Nyquil, a cold and flu medicine similar to Night Nurse, for what he described as a persistent flu or long Covid condition, documented on his social media channels. He admitted to not informing the police about this medication during his arrest, citing extreme mental distress.
Police Observations and Toxicologist Report
Arresting officer Pc Yuksel reported observing Slimani’s “quite vivid” facial expressions and animated demeanor, which led him to suspect alcohol influence. Upon questioning, Slimani’s demeanor shifted dramatically from joyful to defensive. He failed a roadside breath test but remained calm and compliant during arrest.
Toxicologist Sarah Morley calculated that the Nyquil contributed approximately 2mg per 100ml of alcohol to Slimani’s breath reading. However, she noted that she could not verify the accuracy of the consumption information provided, which included 810ml of Famous Grouse whisky and 30ml of Nyquil.
Broader Implications and Personal Reflections
Slimani expressed deep regret over the incident, highlighting fears about damage to his reputation, loss of work, and impact on his sobriety and charity endeavors. He lamented, “The press, the loss of my reputation, the loss of work – everything has happened, it has been a catastrophe.” The court also heard that Slimani has faced significant financial difficulties, including county court proceedings due to heavy debt.
Judge Jabbitt acknowledged sympathy for Slimani’s bereavements but emphasized that excessive drinking or taking medication without considering its effects on driving was unacceptable. The judge concluded that the case was proven beyond doubt, leading to the conviction and penalties imposed.
