French Army Weapons and Death Threats to His Ex: Sexagenaire Convicted in Saint

At the Saint-Malo courthouse on Thursday, April 30, a 64-year-old man was tried for possession of weapons and ammunition without authorization, as well as for death threats against his ex-partner and her new partner, and for sending malicious messages.

On April 10, 2025 in Saint-Malo, not being able to cope with the breakup, the man had followed his ex-partner and her new friend multiple times after their work, before threatening them with death by brandishing a telescopic baton. For some time, he regularly sent insulting and degrading messages to his ex-partner.

During the search of his home, numerous weapons, rifles, revolvers, and ammunition were discovered, some of which came from the French army’s stocks, hidden in his bedroom or in planters on the terrace. In his vehicle, a telescopic baton, an airsoft gun, and pepper spray were found.

The defendant admitted everything at the bar, but specified that as a former military member, he used some weapons for target shooting. Others would have belonged to his father, a former police officer, constituting “a memento” according to him. “Today we protect ourselves, it is quite easy to be attacked,” he added. “Do you think everyone has a telescopic baton in their car?” asked the president. “Yes, I think so,” he replied.

The sexagenarian expressed regrets towards the two victims. “I take responsibility for my stupidity.” The breakup, after seventeen years of living together, would have destroyed him, and he could not bear to be replaced so quickly. “I wanted to see his face, it was not an ambush,” he assured to explain his behavior towards the new partner.

The Prosecutor reminded of “the nightmare” experienced by the victims. On her side, lawyer Leboucher, in defense, protested against an interpretation of the facts far from reality, simply referring to “a context of love disappointment.” The defendant was sentenced to twelve months of suspended prison, as well as a prohibition from contacting the victims and appearing at their home for three years.