Jean Sarkozy, a law student who this year made his political debut as local councillor in a wealthy Paris suburb, allegedly crashed his scooter into the rear of M’hamed Bellouti’s BMW car in October 2005 before speeding off.

Bellouti said he managed to note down the scooter’s registration number and tried several times through his insurance company to get Sarkozy to pay the 260 euros (405 dollars) worth of damage he allegedly caused.

But he said Sarkozy, who denies the charges, failed to respond and so he decided to go to the police.

Bellouti, who told French radio today that he expected the court to let Jean off the hook because he is the president’s son, is now also seeking 4,000 euros in compensation.

Jean Sarkozy first appeared in court to answer the charges in December but the case was postponed until June in order for an independent expert to draw up a report on the incident.

He has been charged with fleeing the scene of an accident, reckless driving and failing to maintain a proper distance from other vehicles.

On Monday Jean Sarkozy announced he will become the head of the ruling UMP party in the local council of the Hauts-de-Seine department near Paris.

He was earlier this year elected to a local position in Neuilly, the ritzy suburb of Paris that catapulted his father to political prominence some 30 years ago.

Last weekend he got engaged to a wealthy heiress from Neuilly, where he grew up.

The French president’s eldest son Pierre, 22, is a rapper and music producer.