Drunken 70-Year-Old Given Probation for Assaulting Wife and Setting Fire at Home with Feces on Floor...

Chuncheon District Court Sentences to 2 Years Imprisonment and 3 Years Probation
Attempted Arson by Spraying Diesel in House Shared with Mother-in-Law

A husband who, after being scolded by his wife in her 70s for defecating on the floor of their home while intoxicated, grabbed her hair and cut it with scissors before setting the house on fire, was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

On the 13th, the Chuncheon District Court Criminal Division 2 (Chief Judge Kim Seong-rae) announced that it sentenced Mr. A (76), who was charged with attempted arson of a dwelling and special injury, to 2 years in prison with a 3-year suspension.

In February, Mr. A, in a drunken state, entered his home in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Province, and defecated on the floor. When his wife, Mrs. B (71), scolded him after seeing this, Mr. A, enraged, grabbed her hair and cut it with scissors. He then punched Mrs. B in the face and kicked her about 30 times, causing injuries requiring six weeks of medical treatment.

Chuncheon District Court

Despite this, Mr. A, still not calm, poured diesel fuel around the house and attempted to set it on fire. At the time, he said, "I will set the house on fire," and spread diesel fuel throughout the house in an attempt to commit arson. It was reported that an elderly mother-in-law also lived in the house. Mrs. B, alarmed, desperately tried to stop Mr. A and hurriedly poured water, extinguishing the fire after it burned only part of the living room floor mat. It was a dangerous situation that could have easily escalated into a large fire.

The court stated, "Victim Mrs. B likely suffered not only physical pain but also significant mental distress due to the defendant's violent acts," and pointed out, "Arson crimes pose great danger as they can cause serious harm to the lives and property of innocent people." However, the court also explained the reasons for the suspended sentence, saying, "Considering that the victim and defendant reached a settlement and the victim does not want the defendant to be punished, the defendant has no prior criminal record, the arson was only attempted, and the fire only scorched part of the living room floor mat without spreading to the building, resulting in minor actual damage."