Belgian news in brief, 7 November 2005

Foster mother jailed over abuse

Brugge Court sentenced on Monday a woman to five years jail for the abuse and sexual abuse of children. The crimes were committed between 1987-2001 in various places across West Flanders. The woman was a foster mother at the time. As a form of corporal punishment, the woman plunged the children in ice-cold water and instructed them to perform sexual acts on her. Police were tipped off by the woman’s husband, broadcaster VTM reported.

Scouts game sparks alarm again

A scouts game has again sparked alarm in Leuven. Reports were lodged with police about a puddle of blood in Lubbeek on Sunday. Police dispatched to the scene eventually found a puddle of red liquid and a white sheet with the words: ‘Leuven hospital’. The sheet was drenched in the red liquid. Laboratory tests were conducted, but police inquiries later revealed a scouts game was to blame. The incident comes after scouts sparked a bomb scare after leaving behind a package at the Leuven train station last week.

Clijsters closes in on number 1 ranking

Belgian tennis ace Kim Clijsters could claim the number 1 ranking on the WTA circuit next week and end the season as the world’s best player. To do so, Clijsters needs to perform equally good as Lindsay Davenport at The Masters in Los Angeles this week to overtake her US rival, newspaper ‘Het Gazet van Antwerpen’ reported.

Subject: Belgian news