Charleroi: taxi driver attacker reoffends, motivated by financial needs
A Charleroi resident, already convicted for similar offences in 2019, robbed two taxi drivers again in March. He was seeking to finance medical treatment for his seriously ill partner.
Charleroi: taxi driver attacker reoffends, motivated by financial needs
A taxi driver operating in Charleroi was targeted during the night of 16 March, around 3 o'clock in the morning. The passenger, picked up in Marcinelle, had settled in the back of the vehicle. Once on Brabant Street, he suddenly turned on the driver.
The man gripped the driver's left arm, pinning him against his seat, before placing a blade against his throat to demand the contents of the cash box. The amount stolen was 120 euros. Before fleeing, the perpetrator muttered apologies to the driver. This sequence was recounted by deputy prosecutor Rooselaer. The driver enabled identification of the suspect, Lucas, through a photo lineup.
Twenty-four hours later, Charleroi police apprehended Lucas again, this time following another robbery attempt. A second taxi professional had been targeted after accepting a fare. The driver, alerted by the previous day's events, had quickly detected abnormal behaviour from his passenger, according to the magistrate's account. When questioned, Lucas admitted to both offences. He explained that he had committed these acts of violence to obtain funds easily intended for the care of his partner, who was suffering from a serious illness.
The prosecution sought a sentence of three years' imprisonment, emphasising the reoffending and the brutality displayed. The defence argued in favour of probation, stressing the exceptional circumstances of the case. The defendant had already received a sentence in July 2019 for offences of the same nature.
Source: DHnet