18-year-old stabs rip dealer in Hasselt: Prosecution seeks prison sentences for both individuals involved
During a failed cannabis theft at a student flat in Hasselt, a 21-year-old was injured by a knife wound to the back. Both the 18-year-old dealer and the injured rip dealer now stand trial.
18-year-old stabs rip dealer in Hasselt: Prosecution seeks prison sentences for both individuals involved
Before Hasselt's magistrates' court on Wednesday stood two young men who literally came after each other's lives on 22 March 2026. The 18-year-old from Zonhoven and the 21-year-old man are both being prosecuted for offences arising from a violent encounter in a student flat.
That day, the older young man appeared at the door of the flat on Armand Hertzstraat. He asked for cannabis. The resident gave him a small bag without asking for money. A short time later, the man returned with a twenty-euro note. This aroused suspicion in the teenager, who armed himself with a pocket knife. However, he opened the door because he had financial problems.
At the second encounter, the twenty-something was not alone. Two minor friends accompanied him, one of whom was carrying a fake weapon. According to the statement of one of them, they intended to steal the cannabis. The atmosphere became grim. The 18-year-old claimed he was pulled up the stairs. When he saw that someone was carrying a gun and the twenty-something tried to take his knife away, he opened the weapon. During the shoving and struggle that followed, he wounded the older man in his back.
The victim fled with his friends. Later, passers-by found him with a bloody shirt. He was taken to hospital with a cut to his back and a severed tendon in his hand. He was unable to work for six weeks. One minor accomplice was arrested, another remained unknown. Police officers recovered the imitation firearm and the stabbing weapon.
The youngest defendant had to account for himself for dealing in narcotics, carrying a knife and causing bodily harm. The prosecution demanded respectively eighteen, three and twelve months imprisonment. His solicitor, Lore Vanaeken, requested acquittal for the stabbing and invoked self-defence.
The 21-year-old is charged with attempted violent theft and breaching his electronic ankle band in early June. Given his criminal record with previous violent offences, the prosecution demanded two years imprisonment for the rip deal and an additional six months for the ankle band. His solicitor, Pieter Valkenborg, requested a suspended sentence so that his client could receive help for aggression and drug-related issues.
Source: Het Nieuwsblad – https://www.nieuwsblad.be/regio/limburg/hasselt/tiener-18-steekt-met-mes-in-rug-van-ripdealer-21-op-kot-in-hasselt-beiden-riskeren-celstraf/158442509.html
Source: Nieuwsblad