A Belgian father has admitted in court to repeatedly sexually assaulting his young daughter over a five-year period.
The 41-year-old man’s case came to light last week at the Correctional Court in Verviers. His daughter was just 7 years old when the abuse began.
The victim confided in her mother via text message in March. The mother then discussed the horrifying revelations with her own father, who initiated the legal proceedings.
Initially, the man denied the allegations, branding his daughter a liar. However, he later admitted to his crimes before the court, stating that he was “in love with (his) daughter”.
He argued that he did not see himself as a paedophile, asserting he was “not attracted to children, only obsessed with my daughter”. He acknowledged his crime, saying, “I made a mistake and must be punished for it.”
The prosecution has called for a 12-year prison sentence against him and demanded his placement under judicial supervision for a further 5 years.
On their part, the civil parties labelled the family man as “perverted,” accusing him of sacrificing his daughter to satisfy his own sexual desires. One attorney, Me Cochart, emphasised the devastating impact on the child: “She is devastated. You have wrecked her life.”
The court will deliver its judgement on 23rd June.
