Young man receives work sentence for cannabis-fuelled high-speed chase in Charleroi
Valentino was given a 125-hour work sentence after leading a dangerous high-speed chase in Charleroi, with his vehicle containing nearly 200 grammes of cannabis.
Young man receives work sentence for cannabis-fuelled high-speed chase in Charleroi
A young driver named Valentino has avoided prison through a 125-hour work sentence, following a hearing before the Charleroi court. He was prosecuted for dangerous driving that occurred on 17 September 2023 in the streets of Charleroi.
When he encountered a patrol, the young man behind the wheel refused to comply. He then initiated a high-speed chase, at times reaching 210 km/h. During his flight, he ran through several traffic lights, performed sharp lane changes and overtook other vehicles on the left. The pursuit ended in a crash.
Initially absent at his first trial, Valentino had been sentenced in absentia to fifteen months of custodial prison and a one-year driving ban. It was only after learning of this decision that he filed an appeal, notably to avoid the suspension of his driving licence.
Before the judge, the defendant claimed to have acted on the advice of his friend, a passenger at his side at the time of the incident. According to his account, the latter was carrying narcotics and had ordered him to accelerate. The young man added that he was unaware of the presence of drugs in his car. Police had nonetheless discovered a bag containing 192 grammes of cannabis.
The prosecutor had requested a probationary suspension against the defendant. The judge ultimately opted for a work sentence, a lenient measure that avoids incarceration.
Source: DHNET
Source: DHnet