One year in prison for assault and death threats
On Wednesday 8 July, the Saint-Martin Criminal Court found a man guilty of violence and making death threats against several members of his family. As a repeat offender for similar offences, the defendant was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.
It all started with a haircut. On 5 July, Mr X had his hair cut by his mother. Unhappy with the result, he became angry, first with his mother and then with another family member. Tensions escalated, and the man made death threats before grabbing a machete. According to witness statements gathered by investigators, he is said to have brandished the weapon at several family members and declared: “I’m going to kill you, I’m going to cut you up.” Following these events, one of the victims was prescribed five days’ total incapacity for work. The defendant was also on trial for threats made against his father, to whom he allegedly said, “I’ll finish you off” and “I’ll shoot you”. The man in the dock described this anger himself as difficult to control. During the hearing, statements from family members, the defendant’s own testimony and the evidence in the case file enabled the court to regard the facts as established. The man’s criminal record also weighed heavily in the judges’ decision. It contains four entries, notably for offences of violence, threats and resisting arrest. The court therefore found the defendant to be a repeat offender. The man was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment for a criminal offence, as well as a five-year ban on possessing or carrying a weapon.
