Dad (27), who abused newborn twins, has been sentenced to four years in prison: « My son had no heartbeat for minutes » (Maldegem)
© Belgaimage
On Thursday, the court sentenced a dad (27) to four years in prison with a delay for the mistreatment of his newborn twins. The Public Prosecution Service had effectively asked for seven years during the handling of the case.
The case was dealt with in mid -April behind closed doors in view of the involvement of minor victims. On the dock was then a 27-year-old dad who now lives in Beernem. He had to appear in court because he had hit his newborn twin.
The facts now date from October 2023. The children were then eleven weeks old. The mom had called for the emergency services because she noticed that something was wrong with her son. She had already started the resuscitation herself. « He didn’t have a heartbeat for minutes, » the mom told about that later.
No heartbeat
Doctors have examined the two children in the hospital. The condition of her son stabilized. After further research, they discovered that both the boy and the girl had different fractures. According to experts, it was not fractures that they could have sustained themselves.
The police and the public prosecutor were informed. They started an investigation and the police picked up both parents. They were both interrogated and also stayed in jail. The mother was allowed to have quickly because she had nothing to do with it, but the dad kept arrested.
The man was in custody for a few months and was then free with an ankle band. On August 9, 2024, the Ghent council chamber decided to abolish its electronic supervision. He has been free since then under strict conditions.
Four years with delay
The court considerably lifted the fact that the victims are his own children. During the handling of the case, the dad stated that he never intentionally wanted to hurt his children. The Public Prosecution Service then asked him to give him effective prison for seven years.
The court decided on Thursday to order the man to four years in prison for the facts. That means that he must adhere to strict conditions for the next five years, otherwise the imprisonment can still become effective. He must also pay compensation.
