Depardieu fails to attend court on drink-drive charge

Gerard Depardieu has stayed away from a Paris court where he faces a drink-driving charge, days after taking Russian citizenship in a tax row.

The actor pleaded guilty earlier to riding a scooter while three times over the alcohol limit in November.

Last month, Depardieu announced his decision to move to Belgium to avoid a new French top tax rate of 75%.

The film star received his Russian passport at the weekend but retains his French citizenship.

On the eve of the court hearing, Depardieu was in Switzerland for the annual Ballon D'Or football award ceremony.

The BBC's Paris correspondent, Christian Fraser, notes that the actor's failure to appear before magistrates could mean the case being referred to a criminal court, which tends to be less lenient.