The Argentan judicial court (Orne) tried, this Wednesday, November 20, 2024, a 34-year-old man for a series of offenses dating back to last summer. Known to the judicial services, the defendant has seventeen entries in his record and a total of 109 months in prison or suspended sentence, according to the magistrates' calculations.
A summer marked by offenses
The facts begin in mid-June 2024, in the Saint-Martin district of Argentan. A fire destroys two vehicles in an underground car park on rue des Anciens-Lavoirs. As reported by Ouest-France, the Argentanais was seen on site, driving a car. When questioned, he claimed to have gone to the scene to collect car keys in order to protect his ex-partner's vehicle from the flames. If the investigation does not prove his direct involvement in the fire, his custody degenerates when he damages a police vehicle.
A few months later, on September 22, the man was found at the home of his ex-partner despite a judicial ban linked to domestic violence. Present under the pretext of seeing his children again, his questioning turns into a confrontation. He insults and threatens the three police officers present, declaring in particular: “If I meet you in Argentan, I will kill you, your wife and your children. » The incident continued at the police station where he attacked equipment, notably smashing a microwave oven.
An unstable personality and heavy legal liabilities
Psychiatric expertise reveals a borderline and bipolar personality. His lawyer pleads in his favor, highlighting recent reintegration efforts: “He is receiving psychiatric care and now works for an integration association in Argentan. He goes home to his mother in Alençon every evening. »
Despite these elements, the prosecution highlights the failure of previous suspended probation sanctions: “The gentleman had twelve times the opportunity to avoid prison. Today, a firm sentence is required. »
A harsh but appropriate verdict
The court finally sentenced the defendant to eight months in prison, with the revocation of two months of a previous suspended sentence. He will serve this sentence under an electronic bracelet at home. In addition, he will have to compensate the three police officers for a total amount of €1,800 covering their moral damage and the costs incurred.
With this new conviction, justice hopes that the thirty-year-old will finally seize the opportunity to turn his life around.
