A 64-year-old man (64) has been sentenced again by the Veurne Correctional Court in West Flanders for exhibitionism to a one-year suspended prison sentence, coupled with conditions.
The man did a "number one" or a "number two" in public in the coastal municipalities of De Panne on four occasions. "Sir is a regular customer here," prosecutor Pascal Week said.
In the autumn of 2019, the accused had already received a six-month suspended prison sentence from the Bruges criminal court. The man had relieved himself several times in the centre of Blankenberge and also masturbated once in public.
In May 2022, the man in Veurne was again given 10 months in prison, also with probation. Due to a violation of his conditions, that sentence was turned into ten months effective in November 2023.
'Annoying situation'
The prosecution explained that the man had again relapsed into his old habits. On 7 October, 12 October, 14 October and 8 November 2024, he was caught in De Panne doing his big or sometimes small needs in public.
"He does not harm people, but it is an annoying situation," it sounded. The prosecution demanded a year in prison, of which only pre-trial detention was effective. However, the man would have to comply with the conditions again.
The defence pleaded that the accused was once a chef in star restaurants. However, after a motorbike accident in 1986, he allegedly fell off the rails completely. The man was also homeless for a long time and allegedly struggled with an alcohol problem. "As a result, he does not always get where he needs to be on time," said lawyer Jonas Bel.
The defence agreed with the imposition of probation conditions. Among other things, the accused will have to go into rehab to tackle his alcohol addiction.
