One year custodial sentence for repeat offender from Namur who threatened girlfriend with katana
A 38-year-old man from Namur has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Liège Court of Appeal for violence and threats committed against his girlfriend in Fernelmont in August 2023.
One year custodial sentence for repeat offender from Namur who threatened girlfriend with katana
A man in his forties from Namur has had his sentence upheld this Monday by the Liège Court of Appeal. The 38-year-old must serve twelve months in detention for domestic violence offences dating from 19 August 2023, which occurred in Fernelmont.
The relationship between the two parties had lasted barely four months when the young woman decided to end it, believing their relationship was harmful. This decision triggered an outburst of anger in her partner.
In the early hours of the morning, around five o'clock, the attacker brutalized his girlfriend. He blocked all attempts to escape, wrapped his hands around her neck and brandished a Japanese sabre-type blade to frighten her. He brought the blade close to the victim's face whilst bombarding her with insults. Among his threats, he reportedly made statements including his intention to "break her teeth" and to "smash her", specifying that the prospect of a decade behind bars did not frighten him.
The complainant specified before the court that these actions formed part of a series of recurring violence. Although their relationship was recent, the man had already exhibited several aggressive behaviours.
The accused's court file is heavy: thirteen previous sentences, notably for offences of misappropriation and theft accompanied by brutality. A previous community service order had not deterred his criminal tendencies.
During his appearance before the magistrates of the upper court, the defendant displayed a nervous attitude. He began by recounting an absurd story involving his landlady and the disappearance of a domestic animal, before partially changing his account. "It's all my fault, I went off the rails," he conceded, whilst presenting himself as the sole victim of the matter. He furthermore contested having brandished the katana to intimidate his girlfriend, alleging that he was unaware of the presence of this weapon in his home.
The judges ultimately upheld the decision initially handed down by the Namur court of first instance.
Source: La Dernière Heure / DHNET — https://www.dhnet.be/regions/liege/2026/06/22/le-namurois-multirecidiviste-a-menace-sa-compagne-a-laide-dun-katana-la-cour-dappel-de-liege-lui-inflige-un-an-de-prison-ferme-3RF4UTBPE5AURHF5GTOSQIXJEU/
Source: DHnet