A 57 year old man from Seraing, who appeared before the Liège Correctional Tribunal charged with raping or sexually abusing girls and boys aged 8 to 17, could now be released on bail. There would be some conditions attached because of the nature of his sentence. The Prosecutor’s Office recommended 4 years and 8 months in prison, but didn’t oppose a suspended sentence.
The defendant was described by the Prosecutor’s Office and the victim’s lawyers as a sexual predator who had ruined several lives. He raped or sexually abused five children aged 8 to 17 between 1997 and 2004.
He is also suspected of raping his own daughter, who was 5 at the time. She remembered something happening to her as a child when she heard what had happened to other children in the neighbourhood.
The suspect standa accused of very serious offences, often committed after watching pornographic videos. The suspect played down the incidents and claimed he never really forced his victims, even the youngest.
The Prosecutor’s Office requested a 4 years and 8 month prison sentence. A service that specialises in treating sexual delinquents said the defendant was suitable for conditional parole in a report requested by the Tribunal. The Prosecutor’s Office didn’t oppose a suspended prison sentence when the discussions started again.
The judgement will be announced on the 31st of March.
(Source: Belga)
