The prosecutor’s office at the Liège Criminal Court on Friday requested a five-year prison term for a 38-year-old rape suspect from Hannover.
The defendant has been accused of rape, sexual assault and incitement to debauchery on three girls, all minors.
The girls, aged 13, 15 and 16, had denounced acts allegedly committed between April and August 2019 by the defendant, an educator in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation’s education system, and a basketball coach at a local club.
The prosecution accuses him of committing acts assimilated to rape on two girls, and inciting a third to debauchery.
The 30-year-old has denied the main charges. He told the court that it was all revenge orchestrated by a member of his team because he had left the club in question to join a more upscale women’s basketball club in the Liège region.
An expert report highlighted the immaturity of the defendant and the risk of recidivism. The report also said that particular care should be taken to ensure that the defendant is not left alone in the presence of minors.
The prosecution confirmed its request for a five-year prison sentence, insisting that any suspension of the sentence should be very limited. It also asked that the defendant’s interactions with minors in the sporting context be limited.
Judgement will be handed down on 16 June.
