A man has been sentenced to eight years in prison by the Charleroi Correctional Court for raping a sex worker last August.
The defendant, who is currently in custody, denied the charges.
On 8 August 2024, the victim visited Charleroi’s Centre for the Treatment of Sexual Violence to report a rape. She is homeless and occasionally offers sexual services. She was approached by a man, whom she followed before changing her mind, finding him peculiar.
The victim stated that she was attacked, thrown to the ground, and lost consciousness but regained it during the assault. The defendant’s semen was found on a used tissue, leading to his identification.
The prosecution requested an eight-year prison sentence, citing the man's prior conviction, in 2017, by the Mons Court of Appeal for two attempted rapes and two indecent assaults.
Psychiatric evaluations highlighted concerns about his likelihood of reoffending and noted that he posed a danger to society, according to the deputy prosecutor.
The defence had argued for an acquittal.
