France offers citizenship to Malian immigrant who scaled building to save child

"I replied that his heroic gesture was an example for all citizens and that the City of Paris will obviously be keen to support him in his efforts to settle in France," Hidalgo said.

The boy's father was arrested and told police he had left his son alone to go shopping and returned home later than planned because he was playing Pokemon Go, an enhanced reality game, on his smartphone.

"His behaviour constitutes an offence, failing to honour parental responsibilities, which carries a possible sentence of two years in jail," Molins said.

Gassama is being offered a spell of community service work at the Paris emergency services. An official website says the work pays about 480 euros ($558) a month for a fixed 11-month period.

Agencies