The Walloon Brabant Criminal Court on Wednesday sentenced Jérôme B., a resident of Ottignies born in 1988, to twenty months’ imprisonment with a total probationary period. The person concerned was notably prosecuted for acts of sexual abuse of minors and voyeurism and had been sentenced for these acts, by default last March, of two years in prison. He opposed this first decision and challenged certain prejudices. He was accused of having made minors and sometimes their parents believe that he was organizing castings that could lead to contracts with agencies. He had also created fake profiles on social networks to give the victims confidence.
“Un danger social”
At the hearing, the defendant had invoked psychological problems which he later realized, specifying however that he had helped one of the victims to find sponsors, and that nude photos did not interest him. “I am distressed by this total denial while the first judgment speaks of dangerousness and treacherous behavior. The lack of consideration for the victims is to be noted: Mr. is a social danger”had requested the substitute by asking for confirmation of the two years in prison imposed by default.
Obligation of psychological follow-up
The judgment delivered on Wednesday underlines the seriousness of the facts and the consequences for the victims, evoking a “obvious danger” of the defendant who further minimized his behavior in court. The sentence of 20 months’ imprisonment pronounced on opposition is accompanied by a total probationary suspension of 5 years imposing in particular on Jérôme B. to undertake a specialized psychological or psychiatric follow-up for the perpetrators of sexual offences. He is also prohibited from engaging in certain activities with minors. The court also ordered the defendant to be barred from his civil and political rights for five years.