Belgian news in brief, 14 November 2005

Brother jailed for rape of 30 boys

A former brother of the Tordale Institute in Torhout was sentenced on Monday to 10 years jail for abusing and raping 30 boys with learning difficulties. Brugge Court also stripped the man of his civil rights for 10 years. The crimes date back to the start of the 1980s and 1996. Some of the victims were under the age of 16. It was revealed during the trial that the Tordale director had also abused boys with learning difficulties. He was earlier sentenced to 10 years jail also.

Man tried to open plane door

A 29-year-old drunken man tried to open the plane door on a SN Brussels flight from Istanbul in Turkey to Brussels last week. Two airport police officers coincidentally on the plane managed to restrain the man. The Belgian man lives in Turkey and was traveling to visit family in Belgium. The incident happened half-way through the flight. The man has told justice officials he cannot remember what happened.

Clijsters misses out on top ranking

Belgian ace Kim Clijsters has finished2005 ranked as the world’s second-best tennis player. Clijsters had hoped for a better performance at the Masters in Los Angeles to claim the number 1 ranking, but her performance disappointed last week. American Lindsay Davenport retained the top ranking, despite the fact Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo won the WTA Championship to move into the top three.

Subject: Belgian news