The actor Jean-Claude Van Damme will not be given a new trial at the Bruges Police Court. Last year the Brussels-born Hollywood star crashed into a parked car and a tree in Knokke-Heist (West Flanders) while he was driving under the influence of alcohol. He was convicted in his absence but appealed against the verdict. His appeal was rejected at a hearing on Wednesday.
In March the Bruges Police Court convicted Jean-Claude Van Damme (real name Jean-Claude Van Varenberg) in his absence and the actor was fined 1,920 euro and banned from driving for two months and eight days.
Jean-Claude Van Damme was driving with his son when he collided with a parked car and eventually came to a halt against a tree. The impact of the collision caused the tree to fall onto another parked car. After the accident he refused to be breathalysed.
He appealed against his conviction, but on Wednesday, the Police Court ruled that his appeal was unfounded. According to his lawyer, Jean-Claude Van Damme should have been aware that he had been summoned to appear in court. Although the appeal for a retrial has been thrown out, the actor can still appeal against his sentence.