By stating right away that it was his sister who reported him, not because he had hit her (“She bumped herself to simulate blows”) but just to get him into trouble. And that today, in any case, he consumes much less… for the simple reason that he can no longer afford it.
He added that he had just got back on track administratively, which will allow him to receive a social integration income from the CPAS, and to initiate a collective debt settlement procedure. In short, in case of a fine, it will be complicated!
The president asked him if he had attempted to follow up to stop using drugs, and he indicated that he had done a few sessions, but it was too expensive.
When questioned about his background, he adopted the same tone: “I’m lost but I’ve never been to prison. I’ve had revocations of probation and nothing happened. I didn’t understand.”
Before adding that he speaks four languages, has lived in Asia, and cannot find a job in Belgium because of the lack of public transportation.
The public prosecutor mainly referenced the numerous prior offenses of the man from Chaumont, for traffic violations but also rebellion. Suspensions granted for sentences of one year and eighteen months have been revoked. Under these circumstances, a new probationary suspension is a bit uncertain…
The defense lawyer tried to salvage the situation by arguing that initially, a transaction had been proposed to his client. He could not afford to pay and finds himself in correctional court, okay. But to end up with a prison sentence… The counsel suggested a community service sentence.
But when the president asked the defendant about this, the thirty-something undermined his lawyer’s efforts. “Lock me up and let’s not talk about it anymore!” he exclaimed. “As soon as there is a free spot for me, I’ll go to prison. At least my detox will be guaranteed.”
Irritated presidential response: “Cynicism has no place in this room!”
The judgment imposes a three-month prison sentence on the defendant, combined with a probationary suspension that requires cessation of substance use and psychological follow-up.