The defendant was prosecuted for having, Sunday, October 24, 2021, contacted the emergency services ensuring that he had filed a parcel bomb in the nightclub “Le Duc” in Rouen (Seine-Maritime).

“I’m going to blow them all up”

On the night of Saturday 23 to Sunday 24 October 2021, around 3 am, the national police were contacted by an individual indicating “to have deposited a bomb” in the nightclub located on rue François Arago in Rouen. During this call, the man explained that he had acted in this way after having been “rejected” from the establishment. A few minutes later, the man contacted the national police again and was more threatening: “Didn’t you get the message? I’m going to blow them all up ”.

Very quickly, the emergency services mobilized. In total, “around fifty people were mobilized on the spot”, including the demining service of Caen. At the same time, the establishment proceeds to the evacuation of 234 clients ”who are directed to a communal room requisitioned for the occasion“ in order to be made safe ”.

But after two hours of intervention, the emergency services have surrendered to the evidence, there is no parcel bomb. An investigation is opened and on the spot, the manager indicates to have suspicions on a man in particular. He explains that the latter was escorted to the door of his establishment in view of his unsuitable behavior. The police decide to check and call back the number that contacted the emergency services and, unsurprisingly, it is the same individual.

“I wanted the party to end for everyone”

Arrested, the man has a high alcohol content: “2 g per liter of exhaled air” reports the court. Placed in custody, the suspect admits having made “two calls to the emergency service” and having made a total of “five attempts”. He explains that he acted out of frustration and against a background of alcohol: “when I was rejected from the box, I didn’t like it, I twisted, I wanted the party to end for everyone. “. At the end of the hearing, the thirty-something will qualify his behavior as “stupid”.

Heard the manager confirms his first statements: “He was angry and was walking around with a bottle in his hand, I told him he could come back one day but not tonight”. He explains having had suspicions about the individual “because I saw him laughing during the evacuation”. The owner of the establishment adds that he lost nearly € 4,000: “We had to reimburse all the customers, he ruined the evening”.

Presented in immediate comparison, the defendant tries to make amends: “I was stupid, I regret” but his criminal record does not plead in his favor: “23 mentions since 2005, that’s been! »Reminds him the president. The man pleads “mistakes of youth and bad company”. “

Are you aware that a bomb threat in the current context is not trivial?

The defendant then replied: “Yes, I did not think that such a device would be put in place, I apologize to the emergency services and the nightclub”.

The Departmental Fire and Rescue Service of Seine-Maritime (SDIS 76) has taken legal action through a letter and is claiming € 2,022 for the resources deployed.

For its part, the public prosecutor finds no excuse for the accused: “his state of alcohol has allowed him to dial an emergency number on several occasions” and ensures that the thirty-something acted out of revenge.

He knew exactly what he was doing, he wished the evening would end,

He recalls the seriousness and the damage caused by the accused, in particular “several emergency services mobilized for hours for nothing and a nightclub extremely weakened by the current pandemic sent for nothing! “

Childish frustration

He requires a 14-month prison sentence, including six months with a probationary suspension of two years including an obligation to care, to work, to compensate the emergency services and the discotheque and to carry out a citizenship course and requests his imprisonment. immediate.

For the defense counsel, his client acted out of “childish frustration”. “He could not have fun as he wanted”. He ensures that the alcoholization of the accused triggered “a disinhibition” and ensures that the latter “pronounced these threatening words without measuring the meaning or carrying it”. He ensures that his client is aware of the seriousness of his actions. He has a probation sentence allowing him to continue his professional integration and to treat his alcoholism.

The court declares the defendant guilty of the acts with which he is accused and the condemned to the sentence of 14 months of imprisonment with probationary suspension for two years including an obligation of care related to alcohol, to work, to compensate the victims and do a citizenship internship. It will also have to pay € 2,022 to the firefighters of Seine-Maritime. *

* This sentence is subject to appeal. Everyone is presumed innocent until all remedies have been exhausted.

From our correspondent Frédéric Bernard

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