Carnières resident convicted of sexual assaults on family members regains freedom by court decision
A resident of Carnières, found guilty of sexual misconduct committed within the family and sentenced in absentia to a heavy sentence, was authorised to leave Mons prison following submission of a medical document.
Carnières resident convicted of sexual assaults on family members regains freedom by court decision
A defendant from Carnières, who had been tried in absentia on 10 June and received a six-year custodial sentence for sexual violence within his own family, was heard on Monday by the correctional court. Imprisoned shortly after his arrest, the man — who called himself "Louis" — requested a reduction of his sentence to three years and his release from detention. He disclosed his discomfort in prison: it was his first time behind bars and he did not feel at ease there.
The court, sitting under the presidency of three judges, noted that the accused had produced a medical document at the end of the pleas during the previous hearing. The opposition lodged against the judgment by default was declared admissible, allowing the defendant to leave prison and reunite with his new partner. The matter was adjourned to the September return date, when he will be required to appear accompanied by a lawyer.
During the previous session, the lawyer representing the victims, Maître Detourbe, had stressed the severity of the facts. She had stated that the person in question had destroyed a family and two children, including his own daughter, whilst attempting to attribute his conduct to alcohol dependence.
The case dates back to an initial complaint in January 2020, when the accused's daughter revealed to her mother touching and abuse. A second complaint was filed three years later. Maître Detourbe described a broken young girl without medical follow-up, as well as a sister who had benefited from psychiatric care whose content had frightened defence lawyers.
The former partner of the accused was also questioned. She declared that she had witnessed five children destroyed by the situation, explaining that she herself had lost her job whilst the children were left to their own devices, their father being intoxicated. Her new employer had granted her flexible hours so that she could look after them.
The accused indicated that he would return in the autumn with a legal adviser. He will sorely need one: alcoholism cannot excuse such conduct.
During the initial trial, the public prosecutor had pleaded for a sentence of eight years.
Source: La DH
Source: DHnet