Man in his forties faces one year in prison for assault of partner in Kampenhout
A 41-year-old man from Kampenhout is standing trial for hitting and strangling his partner. The prosecution is seeking an effective prison sentence of one year.
Man in his forties faces one year in prison for assault of partner in Kampenhout
A 41-year-old man from Kampenhout was required to answer to the correctional court in Brussels on Wednesday. He is suspected of physically attacking his partner during a stay in emergency accommodation in January of this year.
According to the prosecution, the man has been struggling with alcohol addiction for some time. When he has been drinking, he becomes aggressive. On 24 January, he allegedly went into another fit of rage. He reportedly hit his girlfriend and grabbed her by the throat.
The victim managed to escape the house and sought help from a passer-by. That person brought her to a friend in Herent. When police questioned her there, officers observed clear purple marks on her neck.
The court psychiatrist who examined the case concluded that there is a considerable risk of reoffending. According to the expert, that danger is especially great if the victim were to be the same person. The Public Prosecutor's Office therefore sought an unconditional prison sentence of twelve months.
The defence pleaded for a suspended sentence with probation. According to the advocate, the man lost a young child several years ago and never received the necessary support in processing his grief. This ultimately led to his drink problem and an unstructured existence. The defendant would realise that he needs help and is open to support.
The defence asked the court to impose the same conditions as those that the correctional court in Leuven had already determined earlier. In May, the man had indeed been sentenced to a suspended prison sentence for similar offences there.
The judgment will be delivered on 15 July.
Source: Nieuwsblad