near Rouen, a woman brutally attacked while walking her dog

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A 36-year-old man appeared before the Rouen court on Monday, December 16, 2024. (Seine-Maritime) for violently attacking a woman who was walking her dog with her partner in April 2023, in Sotteville-lès-Rouen. He was also accused of having uttered homophobic insults.

“He was unleashed on this lady”

What happened? On April 24, 2023, Marie and Lucie* walk their dog in the courtyard of the Sotteville music school. From the top of his balcony, Laurent* observes them, then goes to meet them. An altercation takes place. Follows “ an outburst of physical violence towards Mary.

Several neighbors intervene to the young woman’s aid. During the hearing, the public prosecutor returns to the testimony of a neighbor, who saw everything. She says she saw a neighborhood neighbor come with his dog into the yard, without a leash, to chat with the two young women. “I thought they knew each other, but I saw the two young women re-attach their dog,” she recounts during her hearing.

Then, the altercation occurs. In the file, there is talk of “extreme violence”. Marie is swept to the ground, she receives violent kicks while she is on the ground. “He was unleashed on this lady, without explanation,” relates the magistrate. And added: “We have someone who can’t control himself. »

Homophobic insults?

Following this attack, Marie suffered from right rib fractureto of many bruises et swollen eyeas well as six stitches in the eyebrow arch, equivalent to 21 days of ITT (total temporary incapacity).

During the hearing, the defendant’s comments were confusing. Suffering from an alcohol problem and anxiety disorders, Laurent was under psychological supervision and speaks of a difficult family context. He then relates, still in confusion, a history between the two young women and his mother. “No witness speaks of an altercation with your mother,” retorts the president of the court. “It didn’t happen on the same day,” replies Laurent.

The victim and his companion also indicate that they were victims homophobic insults, which Laurent disputes. “I recognize the violence, but not the insults,” he notes. In the file, only one witness indicates that he remembers insults due to the sexual orientation of the two women, but he is not able to reproduce Laurent’s exact words.

Convicted for the violence, acquitted for the insults

What is certain is the violence of the attack, as confirmed by all the witnesses. On his locker, Laurent already has several convictionsin particular for contempt of a person holding public authority, repeated contempt… but also violence against his mother in March 2024 for which he is incarcerated and was to be placed on an electronic bracelet from December 17.

“He is not coherent and uses his own truth,” insists the public prosecutor during her speech. The magistrate also recalls that the two young women have preferred to move since the events. She asks for eight months’ imprisonment.

When speaking, Laurent’s lawyer does not discuss the physical violence, which is indisputable in the case. However, she pleads for the release of her client for the homophobic insults.

After deliberating, the Rouen courtfound Laurent guilty of physical violence and sentences him to eight months of imprisonment**. His sentence will be placed under an electronic bracelet. He is also banned from having contact with the victims for two years. However, the court orders the acquittal for public insult of a homophobic nature “for the benefit of the doubt”.

*first names have been changed

**This sentence is subject to appeal. All litigants remain presumed innocent until all avenues of appeal have been exhausted.

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