A 20-year-old man had to answer to the Mechelen correctional court on Monday for robbery with violence. The prosecutor’s office is asking for 15 months with probation, the man is due to answer for other offences at a later date.
The man had to answer for robbery with gang violence, in a vehicle and intentional beating and wounding. His sister works as a manager at McDonalds in Mechelen and had argued with one of the employees during the day.
The latter had insulted and threatened her and allegedly also spat at her. The brother and his two 17-year-old brothers decided to teach the man a lesson and lured him to the Veemarkt in Mechelen. "The victim received an anonymous text message after work telling him to come to the Veemarkt," the prosecutor’s office chimed in.
There a black BMW stopped, and the three occupants asked him to get in. A "good conversation" ensued and the man was thrown out of the car again after which he received several more raunchy blows in the street. A witness saw this happening and called the police.
The victim noted that he had lost a small bag containing his mobile phone, bank card and ID card. These were later brought in to the McDonalds. He was also incapacitated for five days due to the beatings.
The prosecutor’s office demanded 15 months in prison and a fine of €1,600. With probation suspended because the man who is still very young has committed other offences in the meantime.
At the time of the offences, he was under provisional measures for other offences. "It would be good to keep him under supervision of justice for a while and work on some problems," it sounded.
The man admitted the acts of aggression but denies the theft. "Perhaps he just forgot his purse in the car," he said about it. His lawyer asked for community service for him.
