THE death of an elderly personwhere was severely beaten from young people because he asked them to be quiet, he caused a shock to French society and also to the government, which today condemned the “lynching” of the victim.

Philippe Matot, 72, a pensioner, was attacked on the night of July 5-6 outside his home in Vie-Comte, a small community in northern France. He succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday.

Three young people aged 14, 17 and 18, all with clean criminal records, were arrested the day after the attack. The 17-year-old, who is the main suspect, allegedly hit him “with punches and kicks” while Mato was on the ground, having previously received a first blow to the face, Valencian prosecutor Christel Dimon said at a press conference that conceded today. He is charged with manslaughter and remanded in custody. His two friends are charged with failing to prevent a crime and failing to render aid to a person in danger, charges that carry a five-year prison sentence.

The political world has expressed its disgust at the crime as the country is still reeling from the looting and rioting that followed the death of a 17-year-old boy who was shot by a police officer near Paris in late June.

The 72-year-old’s death testifies to “this violence that we must fight with determination,” said government spokesman Olivier Veran. “This tragedy will not go unpunished,” promised Interior Minister Gerald Darmanen, speaking of an “attack of indescribable cowardice.”

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen denounced “the complete absence of respect for human life” while Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure spoke of “disgusting lynching” and the Communist Party of “barbarism”.

The three youths live with their parents in a community near Vie-Comte and are said to have repented of the crime. They said the 72-year-old shouted at them from his window to leave the area because they were making noise and then went out into the street at around 11pm. A “fight” between them followed, always according to the young people, since there are no other witnesses. A passing motorist saw the victim lying on the road and called 911 at around 00.20 that evening.