Tournai: man beaten at the Bastions, attacker claims self-defence
Félix, 25, was prosecuted for beating Gino at the Bastions in Tournai. The defendant, currently imprisoned on a drugs charge, claims he was defending himself against an individual armed with a knife.
Tournai: man beaten at the Bastions, attacker claims self-defence
A 25-year-old man appeared before the Tournai correctional court for a brawl that occurred on 4 April 2025 at the Bastions. Félix, which is a pseudonym, is accused of violently striking Gino, also identified by an alias. The victim, who was also implicated in the case, was not present at the hearing.
The defendant, who is currently serving a sentence for a drugs-related matter, admitted the facts. He argued, however, that he had protected himself against a potentially armed aggressor. According to his account, the other individual had brandished a blade before the blows began. "I first tried to remove his weapon, then I lost control," he told investigators, as reported by La Dernière Heure.
At the time of the incident, the defendant was on a temporary release from prison. "That wasn't very clever of me," he admitted.
Surveillance cameras showed Félix delivering kicks to his target. The public prosecutor's representative emphasised the lack of proportionality in his reaction. "You claim he was staring at you. But you don't hit someone simply because they're looking at you. Your behaviour was excessive, especially since you were on conditional release. A witness states that the victim only pulled out his knife when you approached him."
The prosecution representative sought a sentence of twelve months against Félix, citing his criminal record and his refusal to acknowledge his mistakes. Against Gino, a sentence of six months was requested.
The defence counsel highlighted her client's difficult background. Abandoned by his mother at an early age, having never known his father, Félix grew up in foster homes before becoming homeless when he came of age. He fell into drug use and fell in with the wrong people, and has already served prison sentences. Following a romantic breakup, he had even voluntarily presented himself for detention, preferring incarceration to an electronic bracelet. Scarred by his history, the defendant is placed under guardianship of his property and person. His adviser pleaded for a probationary sentence, invoking clemency.
Source: DHnet