In the night of November 5 to 6, 2024, the local police received a report about a stabbing in De Haan. At the scene, Alain D. appeared to have suffered a ten centimeter cut in the left upper arm. As a result, the victim had lost a lot of blood. A superficial stab wound was also found in the heart region. The man in his fifties was not in danger of dying, but according to the medical examiner, the risk of serious injuries from such violence was high. D. was ultimately unable to work for three weeks.
The investigation showed that Nathalie L. came to seek redress regarding the theft of jewelry. According to the victim, upon arrival she immediately began stabbing. The cut was said to have been inflicted when D. tried to ward off the stings. “Otherwise the sting would have had much worse consequences,” said prosecutor Lode Vandaele. The Public Prosecution Service is therefore of the opinion that the man in his forties acted with the intention of killing and with premeditation.
Emotional value
However, during her interrogation, L. told a different story. The defendant explained that the stolen family jewelry had great sentimental value. She said she planted the knife in the coffee table of the alleged thief during that discussion. D. was then said to have attacked first with the knife. L. claimed that she was able to take the knife away and then lashed out to protect herself.
After the investigation, the public prosecutor’s office asked the council chamber to intern Nathalie L.. According to the court psychiatrist, the woman from Blankenberge was struggling with delusions, including in connection with the jewelry theft. In the meantime, however, D. confessed to the theft. Moreover, another psychiatric report showed that the defendant would indeed be accountable. In those circumstances, the Public Prosecution Service demanded a three-year suspended prison sentence, linked to conditions, for attempted murder, prohibited possession of weapons and death threats. The prosecutor noted that L. was already convicted of defamation in 2024. In 2004, she was given a two-year suspended prison sentence for assault.
5,000 euros
Alain D. had to answer for intentional blows, because he kicked L.’s leg. The Public Prosecution Service did not demand any concrete punishment for those facts. For theft and computer fraud, prosecutor Lode Vandaele demanded an effective prison sentence of eighteen months in absentia. The man from De Haan was convicted more than 25 years ago for thefts, rape and drug offences.
The defense explained that L. became friends with D. when she moved to Blankenberge from Luxembourg in 2023. The fifty-something turned out to be a lifesaver when L. suffered from cancer. “That’s why he had her bank card to go shopping, but suddenly 3,000 euros disappeared from her account,” said master Koen Blomme. Later, D. is also said to have stolen L.’s jewelry and sold it for 5,000 euros.
According to Master Blomme, there was absolutely no question of a murder attempt. L. is said to have taken a knife with him to protect himself. “She actually wanted to take a taser with her, but she couldn’t find the taser.” During the eventual skirmish, the woman reportedly only defended herself. “How else did she get those injuries?” said Master Blomme, who asked for an acquittal on the basis of legal self-defense.
The defense also requested an acquittal for death threats. L. did admit to possessing a butterfly knife, which was not used in the facts. Her lawyer proposed imposing a fine for prohibited possession of weapons. “I am infinitely sorry for what happened,” the woman said in her last word.
Verdict
The court finally ruled on Monday morning that Nathalie L. was guilty of intentional assault and battery with premeditation. The verdict noted that she voluntarily abandoned her attempt. Reference was made to the superficial stab wound. L. was sentenced to 30 months in prison, of which only seven months of pre-trial detention were effective. In the coming years, she will have to comply with, among other things, an alcohol and contact ban. Alain D. was sentenced in absentia to 18 months of effective imprisonment and an 800 euro fine.