Edition Thionville – Hayange | Violence, humiliation: four years firm against the companion

The deputy prosecutor had requested eight years in prison against the accused. He showed pictures of the disfigured victim. He cited extracts from notes in which the companion describes a daily life punctuated with humiliation, beatings, threats, denigration, torture. It lasted more than seven years.

The ordeal ended last November. The young woman, in her twenties, is checked in a car by the police in Thionville. His conduct worries. She seems confused, dejected. And the bruises on his face challenge. The blood alcohol test is negative. In reality, the victim under the influence swallowed lots of anxiolytics. She is hospitalized. When she wakes up, and when her psychological state allows, she files a complaint.

His companion was to appear before the Thionville Criminal Court January 14th. The hearing was adjourned due to the lawyers’ strike. He was prohibited from contacting, even by correspondence, the young woman. However, the victim’s lawyer, Me Jérôme Tibéri, proves that his client was approached, letters in support.

Thursday March 19, she came to attend the trial. Timidly, she confessed this fear that does not leave her and her will to rebuild herself.

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Forbidden to approach her, to contact her

The accused appeared on screen by videoconference from the jail because of the confinement against the Covid-19. The man has been detained for several weeks. His criminal record has numerous references, in particular for violence.

The 30-year-old does not deny the facts. His lawyer, Me Christine Pernel recalls that he started therapy in prison. She also does not dispute the need for him to be kept there “But we are not at the bottom,” she says, saying that the sentence required is excessive. She dwells on her client’s personality, her chaotic family journey. In January, facing the magistrates, the latter had already mentioned a childhood marked by violence and admitted his addiction to alcohol.

The court finally sentences Benjamin Leminoux to four years in prison. Upon his release, he will also be under socio-judicial follow-up for four years. He will be prohibited from contacting or appearing at the home of the victim and his immediate family. He will also have to justify care to fight against his problems of violence and alcohol. If he does not comply with these conditions over the duration of the follow-up, he incurs an additional sentence of three years. Her lawyer announces that she is appealing this decision so as not to be bound by the legal deadlines and to give herself time to reflect.

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