The Charleroi Criminal Court on Wednesday sentenced a man who raped three women to nine years in prison, one less than the public prosecutor had requested.
The three women had accused the defendant of subjecting them to the abuse between 2020 and 2023.
One of the victims had taken the defendant into her home. "Her neighbour testified that she had been awakened by crying and screaming," the public prosecutor said. "The victim showed traces of blows."
The defendant denied all allegations, referring to "a plot" orchestrated by the victims to harm him. His defence pleaded for an acquittal on all counts.
However, the public prosecutor described the defendant as "a predator and a psychopath," pointing out in passing that the individual was already known to the law for offences involving drugs and weapons. He requested a 10-year prison sentence.
During the public prosecutor's closing address, the detainee did not appreciate the comments made about him and preferred to leave the room and return to his cell.
