Rape in Braine-le-Château institution: court orders committal
A 58-year-old man has been convicted of rape in an institution in Braine-le-Château. The court opted for committal. The accused's DNA was found on the victim.
Rape in Braine-le-Château institution: court opts for committal
The Nivelles court has convicted a 58-year-old resident of a care facility in Braine-le-Château of rape against another resident. The judges decided to place the man in committal. This case illustrates the challenges posed by sexual assault within establishments housing vulnerable people.
The complainant, also cared for by the same facility, told officials that the individual had entered her room in the late afternoon to abuse her. The accused has always rejected this version. According to him, it was the woman who came to join him in his own room while he was resting.
Investigators from the Braine-l'Alleud police zone who attended the scene did not need to decide between these two contradictory versions. Scientific analysis in fact provided irrefutable proof of the man's culpability: his genetic material was discovered in the woman's underwear. This finding allowed the investigating judge to establish the facts beyond doubt.
During the 15 June session, defence counsel did not challenge the criminal charge retained, although her client claims to have no recollection of events. The proceedings focused on aggravating circumstances relating to the psychological condition of the two people involved. Following the assault, they had been housed in separate buildings before the victim's final departure.
From the civil party's perspective, compensation of 3,000 euros was sought for moral damages. This sum was contested by the defence, due to lack of documentation attesting to the reality of the amount and in the absence of information about any possible therapeutic follow-up.
Ultimately, the magistrates preferred a security measure to a conventional sentence, ordering the committal of the convicted man.
Source: DHnet
Source: DHnet