After seven hours of deliberation, the Sarthe Assize Court sentenced Stéphane Schubhan to 30 years in prison for the attempted murder of his ex-partner, with whom he had shared his life for more than 20 years.
A man was sentenced this Friday to 30 years in prison for having attempted to murder his companion by burning her alive, in April 2019, at their home in La Flèche, in Sarthe, with the help of his mistress who, for his part, sentenced to 28 years in prison.
Life had been demanded Thursday by the general counsel, Elisandre Lebailly, who considered that “only a significant prison sentence can respond to the cruelty of the acts” of the accused, Stéphane Schubhan. As for his mistress, Fabienne Gautier, the public prosecutor had requested 30 years against her.
The Devilish Lovers
Presented at the trial as two diabolical lovers, they sought, on the night of April 27 to 28, 2019, to “get rid” of Stéphane Schubhan’s companion, who had become troublesome. To do this, they called on two trusted “little hands” to set fire to the victim while he slept: Fabienne Gautier’s son, Louis Lebreton, and his daughter’s friend, Florian Nallet.
Convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison, Louis Lebreton, 29, served as a scooter driver. Florian Nallet was sentenced to 25 years for bringing gasoline and a torch which was used to burn the victim. Stéphane Schubhan had left the door open to allow him to enter. He had remained lying next to the mother of his children, whose life he had shared for more than 20 years.
Severely burned and placed in a coma, the victim, Aurélie Mignot – who still bears significant sequelae – was present at the trial. Two of her children, aged 8 and 15, were narrowly saved from the fire, which completely destroyed the house. Stéphane Schubhan was slightly injured in the arm.
The motive for the crime remains unclear
Before the court, between denials and mutual rejection of responsibilities, the debates did not make it possible to specify the role of each. Victim of a clinical trial at the Biotrial laboratory, Stéphane Schubhan was recognized as a disabled worker and expected compensation of 25,000 euros. He is suspected of having ordered this arson so as not to have to share this compensation.
At the very end of the trial, Fabienne Gautier wanted to “apologize” by reading a few words on a paper.