A 26-year-old man from Liège was cleared of charges of raping an unconcious woman who had been found in the toilets of a café in Liège. Although the woman had no recollection of the incident, the defendant consistently claimed that the encounter was consensual. The alleged assault took place in December 2018 and the victim filed a complaint days later. The defendant was facing 40 months in jail if convicted. However, the court ultimately agreed with the defendant’s version of events and acquitted him of all charges.
The correctional court of Liège on Wednesday acquitted a 26-year-old man from Liège who had been suspected of having committed the rape of a lady under the influence of alcohol. This lady had been found unconscious in the toilets of a café in Liège and no longer remembered the scene. But the defendant had always maintained that she was consenting.
The facts took place on December 15, 2018 in the Carré de Liège. A lady who had just experienced a sentimental break with her companion had been found unconscious by a friend in the toilets of a café in the festive center of Liège. She no longer remembered the events that had preceded her discomfort, but she had noted having had sexual relations.
The investigation had identified the defendant, because the two protagonists had concretized their friendship on Facebook the night of the facts. The victim had filed a complaint a few days later and claimed to have been assaulted and raped when she was in a vulnerable situation.
The defendant faced a sentence of 40 months in prison. He had always claimed that it was the victim who had insisted on involving him in sexual relations, because she wanted to have fun following a sentimental breakup. He also asserted that she did not appear in a state rendering her incapable of giving her consent.
The court followed the arguments of the defendant and acquitted him of the facts.
In spite of the victim’s claims of assault and rape, the correctional court of Liège has acquitted the defendant of the charges. The court agreed with the defendant’s argument that the victim had consented to the sexual relations and was not in a vulnerable state. The case highlights the significance of consent and the need to be aware of one’s own state when engaging in sexual activities. While the verdict may be disappointing to the victim, it is essential to remember that justice is a complex process and the outcome may not always reflect the perceived truth.
