A Moroccan migrant who was jailed for burglary just days after arriving illegally in Belgium has been charged with raping a social worker in his prison cell during a visit to discuss his scheduled release.
Younes. I., 25, had only been in Belgium for ten days when he was arrested back in February for robbery and aggravated theft in Antwerp.
He was jailed after being found in possession of stolen goods including a watch and jewelry, as well as carrying a screwdriver. He was found to have been part of a gang targeting a residential street in the Belgian port city.
During his sentencing hearing, the court learned the suspect had been staying in Belgium illegally, but instead of enforcing a deportation order, the judge sentenced Younes I. to ten months in prison and a fine of €800.
The convict had been due for release in a few weeks and on Sept. 2, a social worker was assigned to his case to visit him in prison and discuss his future plans.
However, once alone with the social worker in his prison cell, Younes I. took the opportunity to rape her for several minutes before any reinforcements arrived to restrain him.
French media reported that a sheet of paper marked “aggressive” had been hanging in his cell — a warning that was not heeded.
The convict was rearrested and transferred to Oudenaarde maximum-security prison.
He attended a court hearing in Antwerp on Thursday, where the investigating judge formalized the arrest warrant.
He is expected to be indicted for rape and sexual assault.
