The Charleroi public prosecutor’s office on Thursday requested 12-year prison sentences for two men involved in a series of thefts.
The accused, one of whom is being tried in absentia, are repeat offenders.
On 19 October 2023, a woman was assaulted in her home by two hooded individuals dressed in black. While one man kept watch over the victim, his accomplice scoured the house.
The pair then fled the scene with several stolen items, including a television, jewellery and a steam generator.
Two months later, investigators working on a car theft case discovered the items stolen on 19 October while searching of one of the suspects’ home.
The defendant claimed he had agreed to take part in the violent robbery after being threatened over an unpaid debt.
“I owed a man named Maurizio some money,” the detained defendant said. “He held a gun to my head and gave me three months to pay. That’s why I decided to commit the crimes.”
The duo is also suspected of other robberies, including the theft of licence plates, cables, wheel rims, a moped and the car mentioned earlier.
The prosecutor has requested 12-year sentences for both men, who have prior convictions for theft.
The lawyer for the defendant who appeared in court has requested probation.
The verdict will be handed down on 31 July.
