A 43-year-old man from Ruiselede has been sentenced by the Bruges Criminal Court to a one-year suspended prison term, under certain conditions, for making threats and illegal possession of weapons.
A.M. denied allegations that he pointed an alarm pistol at a friend’s head.
On 23 September 2023, a taxi driver reported an unusual story to the local police in the Tielt region. The previous evening, he had driven A.M. and a friend to a night shop. The friend had instructed the driver to alert the police if he did not hear from him the next day. Additionally, the accused behaved aggressively, and allegedly had a weapon in his pocket.
During a search of M.’s home, investigators found several alarm and air pistols, as well as two firearms without a licence. According to his companion, one of the pistols was aimed at his head, with the alleged intention of committing suicide together. M. was to shoot the victim first and then himself.
The defence acknowledged that the accused always carried an alarm pistol for self-defence. However, M. disputed the claim that he had pointed the weapon at his friend’s head. The defence sought a suspension of punishment for the illegal possession of weapons, claiming the firearms belonged to his late father.
The judge ultimately sentenced A.M. as requested, imposing a one-year suspended prison term, with conditions. The accused was also fined €800, half of which is suspended. He must pay the civil plaintiff €1,000 in damages.
