Monday June 10, 2024, in Torigny-les-Villes (Manche), a resident, aged 74, woke up around 2 a.m. and discovered that a French window in his home was burning. He manages to put out the fire and files a complaint. Having already suffered two fires very recently, the septuagenarian had cameras installed which made it possible to confuse the arsonist. He recognizes his neighbor on the video surveillance.
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The latter was arrested and placed in police custody, where investigators made the link with two fires perpetrated on the same victim. First on May 20, when the septuagenarian’s vehicle was partially set on fire, as well as a garden shed which was completely destroyed. On June 6, a fire also broke out, damaging the front door and the garage door of the home.
“I had restarted it several times for a debt of €40”
Placed in detention on Wednesday June 12, the neighbor, aged 46, was cited Thursday, under prison escort, before the Coutances criminal court, in immediate appearance for this series of damage to the property of others by a means dangerous for them. people, repeat offenders.
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On May 20, it wasn’t me. I was at home with my daughter. On June 6, it wasn’t me, I was also with my daughter
, he assures. As for the fire of June 10: It’s me. I had restarted it several times for a debt of €40. I wanted to scare him. I set fire to a palette, I didn’t think too much about it. I regret it very much.
“We are dealing with an arsonist”
You only recognize the facts where you are seen on the video, but not those where there were no cameras yet
retorts a judge. We are dealing with an arsonist,”
declares the public prosecutor who mentions the defendant’s criminal record, with several convictions and imprisonment for similar acts. He locks himself in his denials, is unconscious of the dangerousness of his actions.
The representative of the public prosecutor requests 30 months in prison, of which 24 months are closed. There is no material evidence proving his guilt for May 20 and June 6. We just assume it’s him.”
argued the defense. The judges finally sentenced Alexandre Stoop to 24 months in prison, including 15 months. He is also subject for two years to the obligation of psychological and psychiatric care, to the ban on possessing a weapon, from contacting the victim, and from appearing in Torigny-les-Villes. He was kept in detention following the hearing. The court will rule on civil interests on Tuesday October 15.
