Russian man set fire to a gas station after being denied access to the toilet

A Surgut resident received a suspended sentence for attempting to set fire to a gas station due to being denied access to the internal toilet. The incident, which could have turned into a tragedy, occurred in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, reports URA.ru, citing the court verdict.

According to the case materials, an intoxicated visitor to the gas station, after purchasing tea, asked an employee for permission to use the toilet. The gas station worker explained that the restroom for customers was located outside and pointed him in the right direction. However, this response triggered a burst of anger in the man.

"He approached the fuel pump, removed the nozzle and tried to set it on fire – the flame flared up but immediately went out," the court verdict states.

According to the publication, thanks to the vigilance of the gas station staff, serious consequences were avoided. The employee, noticing the dangerous actions, reacted immediately – ran to the fuel dispenser and neutralized the offender by knocking him to the ground.

During the court hearing, the accused tried to mitigate his guilt, referring to severe alcohol intoxication and fragmentary memories of the incident.

The court, however, considered the state of intoxication as an aggravating circumstance. The man was ordered to undergo compulsory treatment for alcohol addiction and to be registered. He was found guilty of attempted deliberate destruction of property committed out of hooliganism.

By court decision, the Surgut resident was sentenced to one and a half years of suspended imprisonment.