The Office of the Public Prosecutor (OPP) on Thursday requested a four-year prison sentence at the Charleroi Criminal Court for a man accused of assault and battery, verbal threats and threats with a knife.
The young man, who is in custody, has admitted to all charges, and said he would actually welcome a jail term.
The defendant admitted that he verbally threatened his partner and her daughters. He also said he had struck his partner during an argument. "I actually wanted to scare her, and I think I succeeded," he said. "Then I felt bad about it. I shouldn't have reacted like that."
During his hearing, the man expressed a desire to return to jail. ‘I want to go back to prison," he said. "I'm fed and clothed and I don't work there. If I'm not in prison tonight, I'll probably do something even worse to get there."
Between the two incidents that led to his prosecution, the defendant had been acquitted by the court.
The OPP is seeking a four-year prison sentence for the suspect, who was already convicted for making verbal threats against other victims.
"The psychiatric assessment is worrying, with an impulsive personality and borderline traits," the Deputy Public Prosecutor commented. "The risk of reoffending in the marital sphere is high. He wants to stay in prison and if we can make him happy, that suits me."
The defence argued for a suspended sentence with a reduced prison term.
Judgment is expected on Thursday 7 August.
