'Vampire' man jailed in Bolivia

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An American man who took the name of a fictional vampire has been sentenced to 30 years for bombing two hotels in La Paz, according to Bolivian state media.

Triston Jay Amero, 26, carried out the attacks with his Uruguayan ex-girlfriend, Alda Ribeiro Costa, 47.

Two people died in the blasts in March 2006. Costa must also serve 30 years, the maximum penalty, for her part.

Amero goes by the name Lestat Claudius de Orleans y Montevideo, a vampire in a novel by American author Anne Rice.

The Californian has a history of mental illness and repeated incarceration, the news agency AP reported.

Petrol plot

While awaiting trial, Amero also plotted to use petrol to attack officials from the US Embassy who visited and the prison superintendant, but the plot was foiled when the petrol was discovered.

The bombings caused extensive damage

According to AP, Amero passed himself off as a Saudi Arabian lawyer, a pagan high priest, a notary public and the vampire during earlier travels around South America.

He will serve his sentence in the Chonchocoro maximum security prison, reported state news agency ABI.

Amero and Costa were arrested immediately after the blasts at the low-budget hotels, which took place hours apart on 21 March 2006.

The explosions caused extensive damage and killed a young man and young woman.