4 years prison for man who set partner's home ablaze out of jealousy

A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to 4 years in prison for intentionally setting fire to his partner's home in Leuven. The man admitted to committing the act in the early hours of January 7, stating that jealousy fueled his actions following a dispute with his partner.

Police and firefighters responded to a fire in a terraced house on Lepelstraat. Although firefighters contained the blaze, the ground floor was completely destroyed. Investigators reviewed nearby camera footage, which showed a man entering the property shortly after midnight and leaving seven minutes later. Police later encountered the man in Diestsestraat, where he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis. He immediately confessed to starting the fire.

The man explained that he felt abandoned by his partner and accused her of having an affair with a mutual friend. All three were present in the house on the evening of the incident, leading to an argument. After being forced to leave, the man proceeded to set the house ablaze.

During his trial, the man requested a suspended sentence, but the judge denied this. The court noted that the man "at no time considered the potentially catastrophic consequences of his actions, such as the spread of the fire, material damage, and even loss of human life." He was ultimately sentenced to 4 years in prison. A separate ruling will determine the amount of compensation he must pay to the victim.

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The man at no time considered the potentially catastrophic consequences of his actions, such as the spread of the fire, material damage, and even loss of human life.