Brussels youths get 5 years for violent home invasion in Overijse

A Brussels court has sentenced two young men to five years in prison for a violent home invasion that occurred in Overijse in March 2024. A third suspect received a five-year sentence, with three years suspended. The court took a severe stance on the facts, which included a minor being struck with a weapon and the residents being threatened with a knife.

The incident involved two masked individuals breaking into the family's home early in the morning. They assaulted the minor son with a weapon and menaced the residents with a knife before stealing mobile phones, bank cards, handbags, a watch, and jewelry. Police apprehended two suspects shortly after, with part of the stolen goods in their possession. A third suspect was later arrested.

Sven Mary, representing the victims, detailed the profound impact on the minor. "The events have had a major impact on the private and school life of the minor victim," he stated. "To this day, he clearly suffers moral and physical consequences from the particularly violent physical aggression he was subjected to. For a long time, he was afraid to go outside and return to school. He and his mother also stayed elsewhere for a while because they were afraid to return to their own home."

The prosecution had sought four-year sentences for the three suspects, but the court imposed harsher penalties. The two defendants who did not appear in court received five years each, with immediate arrest warrants issued. The third defendant, present at the trial, received five years, with two years suspended. The convicted individuals must also pay damages to the victims.

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The events have had a major impact on the private and school life of the minor victim. To this day, he clearly suffers moral and physical consequences from the particularly violent physical aggression he was subjected to. For a long time, he was afraid to go outside and return to school. He and his mother also stayed elsewhere for a while because they were afraid to return to their own home.