The Office of the public prosecutor in Verviers is seeking a five-year prison sentence for a man accused of raping his daughter when she was 11 years old.
The man, who is in his 40s, is also also being prosecuted for violating the girl's sexual integrity and that of another young girl under the age of 16.
The investigation began with a complaint lodged in July 2020 by a woman who said she had been the victim of two separate series of incidents. The first dated back to her 11th birthday, when she was in the sixth year of primary school. There was a break, then the abuse began again in 2010, when the victim’s mother was hospitalised following an aneurysm.
“The young woman first posted a message expressing her unhappiness on social networks. Her brother told their father, who then had a chat with his daughter. Following that discussion, the young woman lodged a complaint,” the public prosecutor explained.
He considers that all the charges have been established.
However, the man disputes the facts, and the defence is arguing for him to be acquitted, pointing to factors such as inconsistencies in the young woman’s version of the facts, and her alleged lack of modesty.
Judgement will be handed down on 1 September.
