Man Sentenced to 12 Months Suspended for Vandalizing Ex's Apartment, Burning Clothes

A court in Tongeren has handed down a 12-month suspended prison sentence to a 37-year-old man from Bree. The sentence is conditional, requiring him to adhere to specific terms of probation.

The man's actions followed the end of a seven-year relationship. After his ex-girlfriend ended their relationship, he used a key he still possessed to gain entry into her apartment. Once inside, he proceeded to cover the walls, ceiling, doors, radiators, and kitchen cabinets with black varnish. He also damaged kitchenware, a microwave, and four chairs.

In a further act of malice, he gathered his ex-girlfriend's clothing on the bed and set it ablaze. He documented these acts of vandalism and arson through video, which he then sent to the victim. When confronted by his ex-girlfriend, the situation escalated into a physical altercation, during which he allegedly grabbed her by the neck and pushed her against a kitchen cabinet.

The man has a prior record with six previous convictions, primarily for drug-related offenses. In 2020, he received a three-year prison sentence and a fine from the court in Hasselt. In addition to the suspended jail time, he must also pay a fine of 500 euros.