The 28-year-old man who slapped France president, Emmanuel Macron, in the face has been sentenced to four months in prison on Thursday.

Damien Tarel, who described himself as a right-wing or extreme-right “patriot” was also banned from ever holding public office in France and from owning weapons for five years over the swipe Tuesday, which caught Macron’s left cheek with an audible thwack as the French leader was greeting a crowd.

BBC reported that during Thursday’s trial, Tarel testified that the attack was impulsive and unplanned, and prompted by anger at France’s “decline.”

He was sentenced to four months in prison and handed an additional 14-month suspended sentence.
Poised and calm, he firmly defended his action and his views on Macron, without providing details of what policies he wants France to change.

Tarel acknowledged hitting the president with a “rather violent” slap.

“When I saw his friendly, lying look, I felt disgust, and I had a violent reaction,” he told the court.

“It was an impulsive reaction… I was surprised myself by the violence.”