ByREUTERS
A French court sentenced the man who slapped French President Emmanuel Macron across the face to 18 months in jail, with 14 of them suspended, BFM TV reported.

Damien Tarel, a 28-year-old medieval martial arts enthusiast, had earlier acknowledged striking Macron during Macron's visit this week to the southeastern French region of Drome, but told investigators it was not premeditated. 

French prosecutors sought an 18-month prison sentence against Tarel who was filmed this week slapping French President Emmanuel Macron across the face, reported BFM TV on Thursday.

Tarel was in court facing a charge of assault against a public official, an offense that carries a maximum sentence of three years in jail and a 45,000 euro fine.

Tarel's attack on Macron shocked France and was condemned by all political parties. Macron later described it as an isolated incident and said violence and hate were a threat to democracy.