"Sold Defective Bicycle"... 50s Sentenced to Prison in First Trial for Stalking and Arson

A man in his 50s who caused a disturbance to the store owner and attempted arson, claiming a defect in the bicycle he purchased, was sentenced to a fine in the first trial.

According to the legal community on the 1st, the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court (Chief Judge Bae Seong-jung) sentenced A (57) to 10 months in prison on the 21st of last month for charges including attempted arson of an occupied building and violation of the Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes. The court also ordered him to complete 40 hours of a stalking treatment program.

The court explained the sentencing reason, stating, "The store that was targeted for arson is adjacent to other stores where people are present, so there was a risk of causing significant human and property damage, making the nature of the crime serious. However, the defendant admitted to the crime, and due to the prompt report by an acquaintance, the material damage was minor."

A is accused of repeatedly visiting the bicycle store and residence of B (in his 70s) for four days in June last year, causing disturbances and making a scene to protest a battery defect in the bicycle he purchased.

After receiving a summary order with a fine of 10 million won for violating the Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes, he became dissatisfied and is also charged with attempted arson of the store in February. A purchased two lighter fuel containers at a convenience store, poured fuel in the store, and tried to set it on fire by throwing a lighter. However, the attempt failed because C, an acquaintance of A who witnessed the act, grabbed the lighter.

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