The criminal court will make a ruling today in the case against Sven Pichal, who pleads guilty to possessing and distributing images of child sexual abuse. When the former radio presenter arrived at the trial, he was sprayed with a foul-smelling liquid.
Sven Pichal was sentenced on Monday in the case surrounding the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse. At around 9 am, the former VRT presenter and his lawyer Walter Damen arrived at the courthouse in Antwerp, where Pichal was sprayed with a smelly liquid by a man. According to Kris Luyckx, Child Focus’ lawyer, it concerns urine.
In November, the prosecutor demanded a prison sentence of 37 months, of which at least one year would be effective due to the seriousness of the facts. According to the Public Prosecution Service, a partial postponement of probation was possible, provided that Pichal is admitted.
Pichal’s lawyer Walter Damen asked the court during the hearing in November to impose a fully deferred sentence. He referred to the intensive care process that Pichal started after his arrest. “If you send Sven Pichal back to prison, we will start from scratch,” Damen said. “All his assistance will then disappear.” Damen did ask that conditions be imposed, such as continuing his treatment — outpatient or residential — and mandatory drug testing.
Previous convictions
Pichal was arrested at the end of August 2023. It turned out that he had exchanged images of serious child abuse with a number of other men. A total of more than 160 images were found on his phone and other electronic devices. He spent three months in jail before he was allowed to leave with an ankle bracelet.
Others involved in the case have already been convicted: Benoit D. was sentenced to seven years in prison on appeal at the end of November for raping two minors and for possessing and distributing images of sexual abuse. Reuben DB was given a thirty-month prison sentence with a suspended probation period. Like Pichal, he was charged with possessing and distributing images of child sexual abuse. Another man was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended.
