Fire near the Pissevin police station: the 15-year-old minor sentenced to one year in prison by the Nîmes children's court

It was during a closed-door trial that the young man from Nîmes – and who lives in Bagnols-sur-Cèze – aged barely 15, was tried this Monday, December 2 at the Nîmes children's court. He is suspected of having participated in the fire at the butcher's shop, located right next to the police office in the Pissevin district, on the night of August 20 to 21. Since then, he has been placed in a reinforced educational center.

“He admits to having passed the jerrycan of gasoline”

A role that he denies, at least in part as explained by his lawyer, Me Camille Alliez. “He admits to having been on the scene on the evening of the events, and to having passed the jerrycan of gasoline, but not to having lit the fire,” she explains, just before the hearing starts. He reportedly explained that he was not informed of what he had to do that evening until he arrived on the scene. “His role would be secondary, he is only a follower”continues the defense lawyer.

If other people therefore seem to be involved, of the six arrests which took place last November, only the minor and another 28-year-old young person were prosecuted for destruction by dangerous means. A sentence of up to 10 years in prison for the adult – who will be tried on January 10 before the criminal court and who, according to our information, denies the facts – and five years for the minor.

Crédit Agricole, the social landlord and tobacco constituted a civil party

In this case, three civil parties were formed: the Crédit Agricole bank, the lessor of the premises which was set on fire and the tobacco company “Le point de la chance”. The latter is represented by Me Ludovic Para. “His business has already been the target of three fires, a ramming car smashed through the storefront, he was the victim of a robbery and during the riots in 2023 for little Nahel, the tobacco shop was ransacked. When there was “After the fire, it had only been four months since it reopened. The question is how long it will stay open now.”raises the advice of the tobacco manager. A fire which led to the closure of the business for three months, while new work was carried out. “And my insurance threatens to no longer cover me”worries the manager, present at the hearing.

Sentenced to three years in prison, including two years suspended on probation

Although the total amount of compensation is not yet known, it is expected to amount to several thousand euros, knowing that, just for the work of the police office, the cost already amounts to 300,000 euros. A sum that the young minor, who has so far had no entry in his record, should partly compensate. As for his participation in the facts, the court sentenced him to three years in prison, including two years suspended on probation, with several obligations: that of being kept in a reinforced educational center, work or training, care and compensate the civil parties, therefore. He is also prohibited from coming into contact with the other 28-year-old defendant, from going to Nîmes and from possessing a weapon.