Woman who strangled nurse with shoelace in Bruges prison to be interned

In a significant ruling, the Bruges court has ordered the internment of a 27-year-old woman responsible for a violent attack on a prison nurse. The incident, which saw the woman attempt to strangle the nurse with a shoelace during a medical visit in the women's wing of Bruges prison on August 28, 2024, has led to severe psychological trauma for the victim.

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She could only fully resume work on September 1st. She still has sleepless nights and is marked by the events.

The court's decision to intern the perpetrator acknowledges the severity of her mental health struggles. Her defense argued that she suffers from serious psychological problems, including past internment for psychoses and hallucinations, and that her actions were a result of her illness rather than malicious intent. The woman herself expressed deep shame and stated she has little memory of the event, emphasizing that her condition, not her will, was responsible.

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She has severe psychological problems and has already been interned twice in the past for psychoses and hallucinations.

The victim, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder following the assault, was awarded substantial damages of over €27,000. This compensation reflects the lasting impact of the attack. The prosecution had initially sought an 18-month prison sentence, highlighting the woman's known history of aggression within prison walls and previous convictions for violence. However, the court's final decision prioritizes psychiatric treatment, recognizing the need for specialized care for the accused.

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My client remembers little of the events and is deeply ashamed. She therefore did not dare to be personally present at her trial. Yet she could not help it. It was her illness that spoke.