'Angry...' 40s on Probation Set Fire with Lighter on Hospital Bed

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Juhee] A man in his 40s who set fire after becoming angry when restrained for causing a disturbance at a university hospital was sentenced to probation.

The 12th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Chief Judge Jeong Jaehee) announced on the 12th that Mr. A (48), who was indicted on charges of attempted arson of an existing structure, was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with 3 years of probation and ordered to undergo probation supervision.

Mr. A set fire to a mobile bed in the emergency room of a university hospital in Gwangju at around 7:40 p.m. on July 4 last year. Although the fire was quickly extinguished by hospital staff, Mr. A was indicted on charges of attempted arson.

The court stated, "Considering that there was a risk of a large-scale casualty accident occurring in the emergency room of a general hospital where many medical personnel reside, the nature of Mr. A's crime is not light."

It added, "However, we considered that Mr. A admitted to the crime and is reflecting on his wrongdoing, that the fire was extinguished and thus remained an attempt, and that Mr. A appears to have committed the crime impulsively due to a mental illness," explaining the sentencing reasons.

Mr. A had visited the hospital to see his father but caused a disturbance by shouting and acting violently toward those around him, and was isolated in a section of the emergency room by hospital staff measures. It was investigated that he acted out of dissatisfaction afterward.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.