Landen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A man has been sentenced to 3 years in prison and fined €2,400 by the Leuven Criminal Court for threatening a 73-year-old during a violent home robbery in Landen.
He used a hammer and scissors to threaten a 73-year-old woman in her house.
The incident happened in broad daylight on January 22, 2025, as the resident was tidying her house. After pushing the woman to the ground and forcing his way inside, the man roughly closed her lips and nose.
In addition, he stole 450 euros from a drawer and threatened her with a hammer. After threatening her with scissors, he stole her phone, jewelry, and money.
The suspect was discovered by the police at Landen station, Belgium, shortly after that on a train. When he was arrested, he strongly resisted. Two officers suffered minor injuries as a result of him.
An age test revealed that the individual was between 23 and 26 years old, despite his claim to have been born in 2009.
The public prosecutor’s office claims that the individual was involved in several burglaries in the area and was on a robbery rampage. He himself, however, disputes that he ever threatened or hurt the 73-year-old victim.
The victim reported that she no longer feels comfortable in her home and that she has continued to have problems sleeping after the incident.
The court considered the circumstances carefully and determined that the charges were proven. The individual received a sentence of three years in prison and a 2,400 euro fine.
Compensation will be given to the Getevallei police zone officers who filed a civil complaint after suffering minor injuries.
How does Belgian law typically punish violent robberies involving weapons?
Violent robberies involving weapons are considered significant crimes under Belgian law and usually incur severe punishments, such as fines and jail time. The seriousness of the crime is increased when robbers threaten or hurt victims with weapons like hammers or scissors.
The crime is deemed aggravated when there is violence or the use of weapons. According to the Belgian Criminal Code, assaults that result in serious injury or involve weapons carry sentences of several years to ten years or longer in prison, depending on the severity and intent of the perpetrator.
Threats against people or property are punishable under Article 327 of the Criminal Code by fines and imprisonment ranging from six months to five years. Therefore, threatening a victim with a weapon during a robbery is a major aggravating factor.
