A 29-year-old former secondary school teacher from Bredene (West Flanders) has been found guilty of a series of sexual offences, including the rape of several minors that were his pupils. The man was given a 5-year prison sentence that will be suspended on provision that he abides by the probation conditions set by the court. He has also had his civil rights suspended for a period of 5 years and been banned from teaching or working with minors.
2 years ago, police received information concerning a teacher at a secondary school in the West Flemish coastal town of Blankenberge. The teacher was said to have been having a sexual relationship with one of his female pupils.
He was also alleged to have made advances to other girls at the school. He eventually confessed and admitted to having had sexual relations with 4 girls at the school where he was employed as a maths and geography teachers. The youngest girl was just 13 years old at the time.
Moral damages of 12,500 euro each
When the teacher's mobile phone was examined by detectives, it was discovered that he had sent nude photos, including photos of his own girlfriend, photos of his genitals, images of his own sexual acts and sexually suggestive chat messages to pupils.
The former teacher made several videos that featured him having sex with an underage pupil. Some of the sex acts took place within the school grounds. The teacher also requested and received images of the sexual abuse of minors.
Amélie Van Belleghem of the West Flemish prosecutor’s office told VRT News that “The nature of the sexual offences is such that they reveal a truly perverse mindset that has had a major impact on the underage victims. This is why 12,500 euro moral damages have been awarded to each of the minors concerned”.
6 months on remand
The man was ultimately sentenced to five years in prison, suspended on probation. He had spent 6 months on remand during the investigation and was then released. If the former teacher complies with the probation conditions for the next five years, he will not have to return to prison. Ms Van Belleghem explained that “Five years is the maximum prison sentence that can be if it suspended on probation”.
The former teacher will remain under the close supervision of probation officers and must not have any contact with his victims or their families. He has been banned from teaching and from working with minors for 20 years. His civil rights have also been suspended for 5 years.
The prosecutor’s office had requested that the man be sent to prison for 6 years. It is not yet clear whether they will appeal.