Man and son held over manslaughter

Residents of an almost crime-free island off Brittany coast shocked by killing after birthday party brawl

A FATHER and son were arrested after a 60 year old man was found dying in his home after being assaulted on the tiny almost crime-free island of Ushant off the coast of Brittany.

Louis Henry, a former baker from Plouescat, had been battered repeatedly, allegedly after a drinks party turned into a drunken brawl.

The island has only 850 residents and police work there only in summer. Officers were called in from the mainland and arrested the two men - whose names were given as Lucien, 52, and his 18 year old son Romain - and charged them with manslaughter.

The men had been in Mr Henry's house in Lampaul, Ushant, for drinks to celebrate the 18 year old's birthday just two days earlier.

Gendarmes at Brest said it was not known what had started the fight as the men had been drinking all afternoon. Both father and son have admitted their involvement and have appeared before a juge d'instruction in Brest.

There has been no other violent death on the island for 30 years and the mayor, Denis Paluel, told TF1 it was considered such a safe place that people did not lock their doors and left their car keys in the ignition.

Photo: CRT Bretagne/Christian RERAT