A man, who would go to an empty plot of land and light a fire every day ‘to stay warm in the winter’, is on trial for starting a fire that posed a possible risk to nearby property.
The 28-year-old Bahraini driver has admitted to the charges at the High Criminal Court, and the Public Prosecution asked judges to ‘grant him no mercy’ in order to ‘discourage people from committing similar acts’.
According to a psychiatric report, the defendant was diagnosed with schizophrenia and misuse of stimulants, and was found to have ‘lower than average cognitive abilities’.
However, he was declared answerable for his actions, “because he is aware of what he does and is able to make choices”, and is therefore fit to stand trial.
In December, the driver was reported to the police by the owner of a home, located right by the lot he often loitered in, which happens to be in close proximity to vehicles and properties.
“The defendant starts a fire on an empty piece of land outside my house on a semi-daily basis,” the 41-year-old Bilad Al Qadeem resident told prosecutors.
“I scold him and ask him to stop every day.”
One day in mid-December, when the witness’ son called him about the man kindling another fire, he decided that enough was enough, and called the police.
The next day, he went to Al Khamis Police Station to lodge a report against the defendant, and showed policemen footage from his house’s security cameras that captured the defendant in the act.
A police officer who led the investigation into the report stated that he found similar convictions in the defendants’ criminal record, and added that, upon his arrest, the man admitted to starting a fire daily.
Prosecutors charged the accused with starting a fire that could have posed a threat to others’ lives and property, and the case was taken to trial after a panel of psychiatrists found him responsible for his actions, despite being afflicted with schizophrenia.
“No mercy should be shown when judging defendants in cases where the safety of the community is at risk,” read a Public Prosecution memo submitted to the court yesterday.
“Punishing the defendant harshly will discourage others from committing similar acts and harming the security of this nation.”
Judges adjourned the hearing to April 20, when a lawyer will be appointed to defend the man.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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