Verdict - Drunk man wants to go to prison - and now he has to
A person being released from prison and eager to go back in is a reason to smirk, Judge Robert Glaß, director of the Amtsgericht Lehrte, stated: "Most want out." In December 2022, a 33-year-old attempted to break into the Justice Remand Prison Sehnde in Hannover - after having been released a few days prior. He was supposed to appear in court in November but did not show up. Instead, he was placed in so-called disciplinary confinement, ironically in Sehnde. Today, Judge Glaß sentenced him to seven months in prison - for premeditated drunkenness.
According to the court's belief, the defendant wanted to visit a friend in prison but was denied due to his drunken state. He climbed over a fence, stayed on the grass between the fence and the prison wall, and was then discovered by police officers. His lawyer, Christoph Rautenstengel, explained that his client was "tired" and had sat down in the grass. He did not understand the rejection in his state. When approached by police officers, he resisted, but did not attack. The officers used pepper spray and a baton, forced him to the ground, and handcuffed him.
Defense attorney: He's embarrassed about it today
His client "had alcohol-related little memories" of the incident, the attorney said. "He regrets his behavior today. It's very embarrassing for him." The defendant was charged with attempting to enter the Sehnde Remand Prison without permission and resisting arrest. The prosecutor demanded a one-year prison sentence without parole for drunkenness, stating that a positive social prognosis was not possible. At the time of the offense, he had a blood alcohol level of 3.9 promille, which raised the question of culpability.
However, the defendant had 49 entries in the Federal Central Register since 2011 - according to the judge, including dangerous bodily harm, property damage, theft, and driving without a valid license. He also had two previous convictions for drunkenness, which was "relatively rare." According to a police officer called as a witness, the defendant was still agitated in the ambulance and failed the first breathalyzer test, which showed three arrows pointing up - indicating a level "outside the permitted scale." The defendant himself stated, "I'm completely off alcohol."
"I don't want to be in the prison anymore"
His lawyer emphasized that the entire incident made no sense - first climbing over the fence and then sitting down in the grass. There was no danger to the prison. And: "He doesn't want to be in the prison anymore."
An appeal of the judgment is being reviewed.
In another instance, a then 18-year-old broke into the women's prison in Vechta in October 2019 out of love - to win back his incarcerated ex-girlfriend. They had separated only shortly beforehand via phone. The scorned lover climbed over a lantern onto the outer wall and hung himself from window to window. Another inmate was injured when the intruder fell. Eventually, the fire department had to lower him down with a ladder.
The 33-year-old emphasized in his closing statement: "I am no longer the person I used to be." He has since "had other goals, other values." His lawyer announced that the verdict would be contested.
- Despite being released from the Justice Remand Prison Sehnde in Hanover, the 33-year-old attempted to revisit the prison, showcasing his recurring interest in the local correctional facility located in Lower Saxony.
- During his trial at the Local court in Lehrte, the defendant's lawn became a moment of controversy as he claimed to have sat on the grass between the prison fence and wall, causing confusion over his intentions.
- Having served time in various German prisons, the defendant's colorful criminal history included charges of dangerous bodily harm, property damage, theft, and driving without a valid license.
- Interestingly, another crime-related incident took place at a women's prison in Vechta, where a 18-year-old broke in out of love and affection for his incarcerated ex-girlfriend, causing injury to an inmate before being rescued by the fire department.
