Drunken motorist from Vleteren receives community service after police chase
A 35-year-old man from Vleteren nearly struck a motorcycle police officer during a roadside check in Veurne in January. With a blood alcohol level of 2.58 per mille, he drove onto the motorway, triggering a chase that reached speeds of 180 km/h.
Drunken motorist from Vleteren receives community service after police chase
On 9 January, officers in West Flanders conducted a large-scale traffic operation. At the roundabout on Ieperse Steenweg in Veurne, they were checking vehicles attempting to enter the E40. A 35-year-old resident of Vleteren drove past in a Fiat Tipo.
The driver spotted the checkpoint and put his car into reverse. A motorcycle officer rode towards him and gave a stop signal. At that moment, the man accelerated. The officer had to perform an evasive manoeuvre to avoid a collision. The suspect then drove onto the motorway.
A pursuit followed on the E40, with speeds reaching up to 180 kilometres per hour. It took some time before the vehicle could be brought to a standstill. Police drew weapons and removed the man from his vehicle. A breath analysis showed he had 2.58 per mille of alcohol in his blood. Remarkably, he did not appear to be under the influence.
In March, he appeared before the single judge police court. The judge found there was sufficient evidence for an attempted murder charge against a police officer. Because this was an aggravating circumstance, the case was referred to the court of appeal with three magistrates. There he risked an effective prison sentence of several years.
The appeals court judges took a different view. "There is no element that suggests the defendant had the intention to kill the police inspector," they stated. They also doubted whether there had indeed been eye contact, given the time of day and the short time span. The charge of armed resistance was found to be proven. The fact that he drove against traffic in the direction of the officer was considered an act of resistance.
J.L. was sentenced to 100 hours of community service. If this is not carried out, a twelve-month prison sentence will follow. His Fiat was declared forfeit. The police motorcycle officer, who was unfit for work for almost three weeks, was awarded 1,137 euros in damages. Spoorkin police zone received a symbolic damages award of one euro. He was acquitted of ordinary resistance towards the officers who initiated the chase.
Source: Het Nieuwsblad – https://www.nieuwsblad.be/binnenland/man-35-ontsnapt-aan-zware-celstraf-nadat-hij-bijna-politieman-aanreed-het-is-niet-bewezen-dat-er-oogcontact-was/158021423.html
Source: Nieuwsblad