Unrecognizable in court
Cameramen and photographers were waiting for Sven Pichal in large numbers at the steps of the Antwerp courthouse on Monday morning. He arrived just before 10 am, although this was only clear by the presence of his lawyers Walter Damen and Davina Simons. Pichal himself was wearing a thick coat, a hat and hood over his head and put on a face mask and sunglasses. He wore that ‘disguise’ on the advice of his lawyers. Not to hide themselves, they clarified, but to prevent recognizable photos of him from emerging again. This is in the context of his employment.
READ ALSO. LIVE. Child Focus lawyer calls Pichal’s last word “inappropriate”
“He wanted to go to work to have a meaningful daytime activity,” said Simons. But that turned out to be an extremely difficult search. “He was often rejected simply because he was Sven Pichal. Even at companies where he could go for volunteer work, he was refused.” Ultimately he was allowed to start somewhere. Somewhere abroad. But after the first hearing he was summarily dismissed. “Now there is work again. And his employer is aware of everything. That was important, because we don’t want any more unpleasant surprises,” Damen added. (Read more below the photo)
Sven Pichal flanked by his lawyers Davina Simons and Walter Damen. — © Fred Debrock
Stopped just in time
“I think every minute counted,” said Kris Luyckx, lawyer for Child Focus, during his plea. “I think the situation was very well assessed by the police services. I think Pichal was stopped at the right time. Otherwise there would have been some other bourgeois parties here.” He referred to a sentence that Pichal may or may not have said in a certain way during an interrogation. According to Luyckx, Pichal was grateful to the investigators for stopping him, because otherwise he “would have effectively done something” with his foster children, which he fantasized about.
READ ALSO. LITERAL. This is what Sven Pichal said at the trial: “It is terrible what everyone reads and hears about me. That’s definitely my fault”
But that was not the case according to Damen and Pichal – who shook his head during Luyckx’s statement. He is certainly grateful that the investigators came knocking and that his behavior was stopped. He repeated this himself at the end of the session. But that he “would have actually done something” with his foster children, that part of the statement is incorrect, according to the defense. “I shouldn’t have made these mistakes. I should have seen them much sooner and I should not have needed someone else to do that,” Pichal clarified.
Family continues to support him
Pichal’s two foster children unwittingly played a central role in the case. The former radio and TV presenter is said to have fantasized about them in chat conversations and also shared – apparently innocent – (holiday) photos of the two in those conversations. Damen confirmed that both the foster children and the children of Pichal’s relatives are aware of the file. “We informed them of every dirty detail,” the lawyer said. And even after all those details, they continue to support him, Damen said. “Because they know he’s working on himself,” he said. “And because he was actually a good foster father too.”
“They have been very open with each other. And that is not obvious”
Davina Simons
About Pichal’s family and relatives
“There has been permanent communication,” Simons added. “They have been very open with each other. And that is not obvious. They would also have liked to be present today,” the lawyer said. But that wasn’t really an option due to the media attention for the trial.
Pichal also briefly addressed his family. “I made big mistakes. You didn’t deserve this. I hope you will find peace and have time to continue your recovery,” he said. (Read more below the photo)
Child Focus placed a children’s version of Lady Justice in front of the Antwerp Palace of Justice on Monday. — © Belgaimage
Suspended prison sentence?
The Public Prosecution Service is seeking 37 months in prison and may agree to a partial postponement if Pichal undergoes residential treatment. “But I believe that the defendant must realize the seriousness of his actions,” the prosecutor also said and therefore asked for at least one year of effective imprisonment.
“For me, that prison sentence is secondary,” Damen said. “I think that could even be four or five years. But the question I want to ask today is whether to impose a fully suspended sentence on him. I think we can ask that today. Not back to prison, that is what I specifically ask you,” he said. “Are you sending him back to prison? Then we basically start again from scratch (in the aid process, ed.).” (Read more below the photo)
© BELGIUM
“My mistake, my fault, my responsibility”
The last word invariably belongs to the defendant. “It’s absolutely horrible what I did,” Pichal said. He began his prepared letter very quietly and calmly in the small courtroom. “I feel a lot of shame towards everyone who follows the process. It’s terrible what everyone reads and hears about me. And that is absolutely my fault,” he continued. “Those images should not exist. It is unacceptable that the little ones, the most vulnerable in society, are the victims of my behavior.”
“I feel a lot of shame towards everyone who follows the process. It’s terrible what everyone reads and hears about me. And that is absolutely my fault”
Sven Pichal
Ex-radio presenter
“I will accept my punishment. I am here to accept responsibility for my actions. In addition to my apologies, it is also my own responsibility that I will continue to do everything I can to prevent me from ever falling so deeply again.”
He also made an appeal. “I want to find out why within myself. Why did I cross this unlikely line?” “I hope that the attention in this case has convinced people to contact care providers. Don’t hesitate, look for help. Please let me help you.”
