Retired Man to be Sentenced for Arson and Drug Possession

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

A retired man will be sentenced by the Criminal Court for intentionally setting fire to a car and possessing cannabis. The court scheduled the sentencing hearing for August 12, 2024.

The defendant was accused of setting fire to a car belonging to another individual, endangering lives and property. He was also found to have possessed cannabis for personal use.

During the investigation, the car owner testified that he witnessed smoke coming from his car while leaving his home. Upon approaching the vehicle, he saw flames erupting from the rear and managed to extinguish the fire. He then contacted the police, who arrived at the scene and took necessary action.

Four hours after the incident, the car owner checked his neighbor's security cameras. The footage revealed that the perpetrator was the driver of a car that had been seen driving around the neighbourhood. A person wearing a cloth glove, matching the one found at the scene, was seen exiting the vehicle.

The neighbour also testified that he had encountered the defendant earlier that morning while taking out the trash. The defendant had inquired about the location of a person, mentioning their name and the name of their brother. The neighbour stated that he did not know the person and the defendant left. Later that evening, the neighbour learned from the car owner that the individual who had asked about the person's location was the one who had set his car on fire.

The defendant confessed to the charges during the investigation, providing detailed information about the events. Moreover, the second witness identified the defendant as the driver of the car in the security footage.

The Civil Defense report confirmed that the fire was intentionally set, while a psychological evaluation concluded that the defendant was responsible for his actions. The glove found at the scene was confirmed to be the one used by the defendant during the incident. A toxicology report revealed the presence of cannabis in the defendant's urine sample.

The court will deliver its final verdict on August 12, 2024.