Rape of student in Mons: two Pakistanis convicted, six years in prison for shop manager
The corrective tribunal in Mons has convicted two Pakistani nationals for the rape of a UMons student committed in December 2025. The night-shop manager received six years in prison, his employee four years, of which two are custodial.
Six years in prison for night-shop manager following rape of student in Mons
The corrective tribunal in Mons has delivered its verdict in the rape case of a UMons student, committed in the back room of a night shop on Rue de la Clef in December 2025. According to DHnet, the shop manager was sentenced to six years in prison and his employee to four years, of which two are custodial. The third defendant was acquitted.
A December night in 2025
Around 1.30 a.m. that evening, Laura — an assumed name — leaves the centre of Mons to return home and revise before exams. She enters the night shop on Rue de la Clef to buy biscuits, briefly absents herself in a neighbouring café, then returns at 1.42 a.m. to buy a drink.
The employee then suggests she come into the back room for a drink. The young woman, not understanding his words, uses a translation application. She eventually agrees.
At 2.29 a.m., the shop closes its doors. Laura is still inside, in the company of the boss, who asks his employee to bring them something to drink. She receives a whisky and Coke.
"If I don't come back, call the police"
Worried, the young woman sends several messages to her flatmate. One of them is particularly alarming: "I am at the night shop. If I don't come back, call the police."
After consuming her drink, Laura's vision becomes blurred. Then everything goes black.
It is 6.34 a.m. when she regains consciousness, alone in the back room. Disorientated, she hastily leaves the shop and encounters refuse collectors, who will tell investigators of a young woman in terror, constantly looking over her shoulder. Her clothes are hastily redressed. She is no longer wearing underwear.
Back at home, Laura recounts the violence she suffered to her flatmate. The two young women go to hospital, first in Mons, then in Charleroi, for medical examinations. Scientific analysis reveals the presence of male DNA in the victim's vagina.
Three men arrested, including one hidden in a cupboard
Police intervene quickly at the shop. Two men are present on the premises; the third is discovered hidden in a cupboard. Investigators also find the victim's underwear on the floor. Analysis establishes the presence of semen belonging to one of the suspects.
The victim retains only fragmentary memories of that night, but manages to identify the three men. All are arrested and placed in custody.
Contested accounts before the tribunal
Before the corrective tribunal, the three defendants denied the accusations of aggravated rape and unlawful confinement. The manager notably claimed that the student had attempted to steal the 7,000 euros he was carrying on him — an explanation that the public prosecutor deemed incompatible with the scientific findings.
The prosecution stated in its submissions: "None of the three justify the closure of the shop whilst this young woman is inside." The public prosecutor considered the three men as co-perpetrators of the rape and had sought sentences of four and five years in prison.
One of the defendants also had to answer for an attempted rape against another customer in July 2025. This woman, who had entered the shop to buy a cigarette, was reportedly taken to the back room, where the man allegedly attempted to impose a tongue kiss on her.
The verdict
Following the proceedings, the tribunal found two of the three defendants criminally responsible. The manager is sentenced to six years in prison. His employee receives four years, of which two are custodial. The third defendant, also prosecuted in this case, was acquitted and released.
This decision concludes the trial at first instance, nearly eleven months after the night on which the young student's life changed.
Source: DHnet