A man who appeared before the Verviers magistrates' court on Monday charged with sexually abusing his two step-daughters and physically abusing his stepson faces 10 years' in prison.
The prosecution requested a two-year prison term for his partner, the three children's mother, who is charged with degrading treatment.
The three victims lodged complaints at different times. The eldest said she had been raped by her stepfather from the age of 14, the youngest sibling also reported being touched, while the boy reported various forms of violence. All spoke of ill-treatment, ranging from insults to deprivation of food.
The couple, who were appearing in court six years after the last complaint, denied perpetrating any violence.
The man admitted having sexual relations with the elder girl, but maintained that she was of age at the time. According to him, they had maintained a romantic relationship after his separation from the co-defendant, but his ex-girlfriend's daughter had not accepted his ending the relationship.
The man rejected the accusations made by his other stepdaughter, arguing that she had "never interested" him.
He denied depriving the children of food, claiming that they had never lacked for anything. As for physical abuse, he admitted to administering a kick on the bottom.
The mother repeated these arguments. She, too, denied that there was any question of violence or degrading treatment.
The public prosecutor maintained, on the other hand, that the facts were established by the investigation.
The prosecution called for 10 years' imprisonment for the stepfather and two years for the mother.
The defence sought acquittal for the rapes and argued that the rest of the case had been brought beyond a reasonable time.
The court will hand down its verdict on 28 March.
