27-year-old from Liège prosecuted for repeated violence against his mother
A 27-year-old man is appearing in court for repeatedly striking his mother on several occasions in 2025, despite a previous conviction for the same offences.
Domestic violence in Liège: son under electronic monitoring appears before court
A 27-year-old from Liège faces two years' imprisonment on a probationary basis for blows inflicted on his mother repeatedly during 2025. DHnet reports that it was an anonymous letter received by the authorities in April 2026 that put an end to the individual's impunity.
This is not the first time the defendant has found himself before the courts for similar offences. On 3 June 2024, he had already been sentenced to fourteen months' imprisonment with probation for striking his mother. One of the conditions of that probation was not to reoffend. According to the case file, this condition was not respected.
The young man, who still lives at his mother's home, suffers from a borderline personality disorder combined with antisocial traits. The psychiatrist consulted as part of the proceedings estimates that the risk of reoffending is present, whilst confirming that the defendant is criminally responsible for his actions.
Several witnesses heard describe a family living in terror. The individual, unemployed, consumes cannabis — a substance which, according to those around him, aggravates his behaviour. When the shopping done by his mother does not suit him, he would insult her and subject her to physical violence. A close relative of the victim indicated that she had placed mirrors on the walls in order to conceal the damage caused by her son's punches.
A neighbour testified to seeing the mother with a black eye. She specified that she regularly heard screaming and breaking objects in the flat, and that the victim had taken refuge at her place out of fear for her life.
The defendant appeared under surveillance with an electronic monitoring bracelet. "I have not stopped consuming cannabis, but I have reduced it through willpower," he stated at the hearing.
His mother, present in court, spoke. "The facts are there, they are very real. It is inadmissible. I somewhat let the situation slide, I did not know how to handle it. He had to end up in detention, it was the worst that could happen. We reconnected the bonds we no longer had. That turned out to be beneficial in the end." She wishes her son to move into supported housing to regain peace of mind in her home.
"With my sisters, we decided to help him with the arrangements and moving into his flat. He needs psychological, even psychiatric, follow-up. He needs the help of a professional," she added.
The defence counsel, Me Jean Boileau, acknowledged the seriousness of the acts committed by his client and pleaded for a sentence of standalone probation rather than incarceration.
The court will deliver its decision in mid-October.
Source: DHnet