A man attempted to burn down a home in Hidd over an alleged dispute about selling narcotics, just four months after being released from prison after serving a drug-related sentence, a court heard.
The 33-year-old Bahraini admitted to drenching a car and palm tree with fuel, before attempting to set them alight.
The High Criminal Court sentenced him to a year in prison and ordered him to pay BD100 in damages for intentionally setting fire to property and posing a threat to people’s lives.
Judges heard that he had served a 10-year-long jail term for trading in narcotics, was also jailed for six months for threatening his mother and was most recently sentenced to a year behind bars for drug use.
He became a free man in mid-October 2025, but quickly re-offended, committing arson in mid-February of this year.
The incident took place on the first night of Ramadan, where he admitted to obtaining gas from a traditional bakery and buying a lighter from a grocery store.
The property owner, a 57-year-old Bahraini from Hidd, testified that he was at home when a domestic worker informed him that there was a man near the door.
“I went outside and saw the palm tree burning,” the dad told the Public Prosecution. “The smell of gas pervaded the area, and I hosed the fire down with water.
“I saw a container of gas discarded on the ground, with a strong smell of fuel emanating from it, so I called the police, who came to the scene and lifted evidence samples.
“Then, I checked CCTV footage, where I saw a person I do not recognise approach the house on his bicycle, then pour fuel on the palm tree and car parked outside, and try to burn them.”
The defendant admitted to trying to set both car and tree alight, but only the tree caught on fire, while the vehicle remained unaffected.
“Around 11pm, I went to house of a man I have a disagreement with over selling drugs. I tried to burn his house down,” he told prosecutors.
“I have no issue with the homeowner or even know him personally, but I have a problem with his son.
“I got a call from the police the next day, summoning me to the station, and I went there voluntarily and got arrested.”
During the proceedings, the defence tried to claim that the defendant suffered from mental health issues, but a psychiatric evaluation issued by a three-consultant panel appointed by the Health Ministry stated that he was fit to stand trial.
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