Two cleaning technicians at the CNP Saint-Martin institution in Namur have been handed three-year suspended prison sentences each, after attempting to poison one of their colleagues over a period between April 2020 and 2021. Four other defendants were acquitted.
The alleged workplace harassment took on various forms over the months. The two suspects were accused of putting laxatives, salt, sleeping pills and benzodiazepines (depressants) in the victim's coffee, reportedly to tire her out and eventually make her unfit for work. In addition to the substances, the defendants also verbally insulted the victim on a regular basis for an extended period of time. As a result, the victim had to change departments and seek professional help from a psychologist.
The two main suspects were also given 180 and 100 hours of community work, respectively, while the other four defendants, accused of culpable absenteeism, received probationary suspension. The victim and the institution Les Frères de la Charité were also both awarded a nominal fee in damages.
