Man acquitted for raping wife

Due to the vaginal bleeding, the victim was in mortal danger for a while, but according to the judges there is doubt about how those injuries came about. For partner violence, JC received a suspension of sentence, linked to conditions.

The couple had been married for more than twenty years when the woman reported partner violence in 2019. She stated that the defendant was regularly aggressive under the influence of alcohol. For example, on September 15, 2019, she was pushed during a banal discussion in a cafe. The victim fell to the ground and was unable to work for weeks due to a broken hand.

In May 2016, the woman had already ended up in hospital with a ruptured cervix. The vaginal bleeding initially put her in life-threatening condition. According to the law doctor, those injuries can only be explained by a brutal rape with an object.

Relationship restored

According to the defense, both involved parties do not know exactly what would have happened that night due to excessive alcohol consumption. “But she herself stated that he never forced her to do things,” said Master Serge Defrenne. Other possible causes for the bleeding, such as a previous biopsy, were also pointed out. The Public Prosecution Service noted that the couple only suddenly came up with that version years later.

After the declaration, JC was subject to conditions, which meant that he was not allowed to have contact with his wife for six months. Since then, the relationship has been restored and he is completely alcohol-free. In those circumstances, Master Defrenne successfully applied for a suspension of punishment for the assault and battery. C. will have to comply with a series of conditions for the next three years, such as an alcohol ban.