A gloomy end to the year on the news front in Lorient. In quick succession, the month of November was marked by two fatal road accidents, one on the RN165, the other on the Lorient road. The first tragedy occurred on Sunday, November 10, 2024. Around 7 p.m., the car of a pregnant woman, aged 34, was hit by a van near Brec'h. The victim, who worked in Lorient, lost his life. At her side, her injured husband is recovering. “Karen is no longer here, neither is my daughter. She was a person full of life,” he whispered on December 18, during the trial of the driver, who was drunk at the time of the events. Sentenced to seven years in prison, he decided to appeal.
Murders of Pauline Le Denmat
Missing in Lorient since February 15, 2024, Pauline Le Denmat was found dead on Wednesday February 21 in an undergrowth, located between the Pont du Bonhomme and the Kerhervy boat cemetery, in Lanester. Aged 23, Mathis Maho, the main suspect, quickly admitted, in police custody, to having killed Pauline Le Denmat, 32, at the latter's home, rue de Beauvais, near the station in Lorient. Indicted for murder on Friday February 23, this homeless man was imprisoned in Rennes prison.
Less than a kilometer from Pauline Le Denmat's apartment, at 2, rue Maurice-Bigot, in Lorient, another lifeless body – that of Vincent Martin – was discovered a month later, on March 16, 2024. Aged 35, the Lorient resident showed signs consistent with a criminal act. In the process, five people – four men and a woman – were taken into police custody to be questioned about this heavily alcoholic evening. Finally, after further analyses, the investigation – initially opened for murder, was closed without further action.
Brawls between supporters, Ikibalou, Lanester bookseller
This year 2024 was also marked by a violent clash between Lorient and Ajacci supporters in the city center of Lorient. On September 27, the two groups of ultras faced each other twice, before and after the match. During the brawls, two terraces, that of Belvédère and that of the Monroe were ransacked. Arrested a few weeks later, two Merlus ultras were sentenced, including the leader of the group (who appealed the decision), by the Lorient court.
On the justice side, two assize trials were particularly anticipated. The first saw Bahati Ahamada Chanfi sentenced to 20 years of criminal imprisonment for the murder of her son, Ikibalou (7 years old), in February 2021. A new trial must be held after the accused's appeal.
Victim of an attack and rape, the bookseller from Lanester faced her tormentors last November. Isaia Barban (26 years old), Dylan Berquin (28 years old) and Axel Gallot (26 years old) were all found guilty of the charges against them and sentenced to 25 and 15 years of criminal imprisonment and 5 years in prison. Only Dylan Berquin appealed.
