Arsonist trial

Young arsonist begs: “Please don’t go to prison!”

The Styrian vehemently denies setting fire to a wine tavern two months earlier.(Bild: FF)

Out of anger and fear, an 18-year-old Styrian set fire to hay in a farm building. An argument with his grandmother had awakened bad childhood memories. In court in Graz, the young man pleaded in tears: "Please don't lock me up!"

The 18-year-old Styrian is visibly upset in court in Graz on Tuesday. "I'm so scared that I won't be allowed to go home. Please don't lock me up," he begged Judge Raimund Frei, sobbing. "Don't worry, no one will be locked up here today," he reassures the teenager. "You don't need to get emotional, we'll talk about everything in peace."

"She threatened to lock me up"
"It wasn't intentional!" the young defendant begins. He was angry. "Grandpa and I were woodworking in the forest and grandpa forgot the petrol can," he explains. "Grandma went crazy and screamed. That mustn't happen because it's dangerous. And she threatened to lock me up," he cries.

Childhood has left its mark
With this sentence, his grandmother brought back terrible childhood memories. Until the Styrian was three, he was abused by his father. The family moved in with his grandfather. The new stepfather often locked the boy in a dark room for days on end. "That left its mark," explains the defense lawyer.

What were you thinking? If the fire spreads to the house next door, grandma can no longer be saved.

Richter Raimund Frei

"And when grandma threatened to lock you up, did you get angry?" asks Judge Frei. "Yes," admits the 18-year-old. He lit hay with a lighter at the barn. "Then I left again. And when I looked back, there was nothing there. No fire."

Fortunately, the damage "only" amounted to 3,500 euros
But the fire continued to smoulder. Grandma smelled it when she went to the toilet: "At first I thought someone was having a barbecue." But then she saw the glow of the fire and raised the alarm. The damage amounted to 3,500 euros. "That has to be paid," says the judge. "I'll pay it anyway, but I need time."

I'm so sorry about the fire. I really didn't mean to. Otherwise, if I get angry, I'll go for a walk.

Der Angeklagte

The family themselves can't believe what their boy has done. "No, he certainly wouldn't do that," Grandma shakes her head and can't even remember scolding him.

Postponed for cell phone evaluation
The 18-year-old vehemently denies another arson at a tavern a few kilometers away two months before this crime. "I swear it. It wasn't me. You can look at my cell phone." The court was adjourned to evaluate his cell phone data.