The Namur Criminal Court on Thursday sentenced a 32-year-old man to 10 years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting an 11-month-old baby in April and May 2024 in France.
The defendant acknowledged the abuse, which he filmed. He claimed not to understand his behaviour, but admitted to recording his acts in order to masturbate afterwards.
The child, who had been looked after by the defendant on several occasions, was the granddaughter of the owners of the property where he was living. He had become close to the family, even becoming the victim's godfather.
The case came to light after Internet service providers reported it to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. An investigation uncovered videos of the rape on the defendant's computer, along with other child pornography files he had shared.
Already convicted in 2014 to a three-year suspended sentence for similar offences against a seven-year-old child, the man presents a 51% risk of reoffending over a twelve-year period, according to the evidence in the case file.
His lawyer had argued on 10 July for a six-year prison sentence, citing a personal history marked by abuse, immediate acknowledgement of the facts and a willingness to continue therapeutic treatment.
The defendant himself said in court that he was aware of his condition and sought help.
