Fifty-Year-Old Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Arson Attempt

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

A 50-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in prison for attempting to set fire to a car. The man, who mistakenly set fire to a different vehicle, was identified through security cameras and a glove found at the scene.

The High Criminal Court found the defendant guilty of arson and possession of cannabis. The court considered his confession during the investigation, his history of drug use, and his mental health condition.

The incident occurred on March 30, 2024, when the victim discovered his car engulfed in flames. He immediately called the police and reviewed security footage from his home, identifying the perpetrator as a man driving a specific car and wearing a glove.

A witness corroborated the victim's account, stating that he had encountered the defendant earlier that day, who had inquired about the whereabouts of a specific individual. Later that evening, the witness learned that the man he had spoken to had set fire to the victim's car.

The defendant confessed to the crime during the investigation, and the witness identified him from a photo lineup. The report issued by the Directorate of Civil Defense confirmed the fire was intentionally set, and a psychiatric evaluation determined the defendant was responsible for his actions. Drug tests revealed the presence of cannabis in his system.

The defendant's lawyer, Reem Al Mahari, argued for leniency, citing her client's mental health condition, drug addiction, and lack of criminal history. She emphasised that he was a retired individual, the sole provider for his family, and that his continued imprisonment would inflict significant hardship on him and his family.

Despite the defense's pleas, the court sentenced the defendant to three years in prison for the arson attempt and an additional penalty for possession of cannabis.