Dinant tribunal: 12 months sought against young man for sexual assaults on two minors
A 24-year-old man appeared before the Dinant criminal court for two sexual assaults committed in 2022 and 2023 on young girls in Walcourt and Philippeville. The public prosecutor sought 12 months' imprisonment with probationary suspension and specialist psychological monitoring.
Dinant tribunal: 12 months sought against young man for sexual assaults on two minors
On 17 June, a 24-year-old man was tried at the Dinant criminal court for two sexual assaults on minors, which occurred in Walcourt in July 2022 and in Philippeville in May 2023.
The first victim was near a scout camp in the Walcourt area. The defendant, travelling on a scooter, approached by claiming to be searching for his brother. He used his phone as a pretext to get the teenager to come closer, then committed touching of her genitals over her clothes. The girl stated that the attacker seemed pleased with himself and sniggered.
The other incident occurred at an evening gathering in Philippeville. The accused allegedly attempted to kiss another teenager and also placed his hand on her intimate parts over her clothing. The victim reacted by screaming and pushing him away, which allowed the man to flee.
Before judge Hauquier, the defendant admitted to the first incident whilst claiming not to remember the second. The magistrate objected that a witness had confirmed his presence with the second victim. The judge also noted the similarity between the two assaults: victims who did not know each other describing identical gestures.
The accused explained that he was returning from a party on the day of the first incident and had stopped at an inappropriate location. He described this period as a search for "answers to his questions".
According to La DH (dhnet.be), deputy prosecutor Storms sought a sentence of 12 months with probationary suspension, coupled with psychological support aimed at providing him with the means to control his behaviour.
An assessment highlights emotional and social immaturity in the defendant, an introverted personality and issues of sexual deviance. Defence counsel Me Roger pleaded for probationary suspension or, failing that, suspension, arguing that her client had understood the seriousness of his acts.
The decision will be pronounced on 31 August.
Source: DHnet