Meire/Molenkouter: Zottegem resident denies in court that he flattened the tires of 16 (!)

Last week, a 68-year-old resident of Zottegem had to answer before the criminal court in Oudenaarde after he allegedly flattened less than 26 tires of 16 cars near Meire / Molenkouter in Zottegem. The man denies it, but many “coincidences” speak against him.

The reports about the flat tires date back to November 12, 2022 to October 30, 2023. According to the public prosecutor’s office in Oudenaarde, the man was disturbed by cars parked to illegal near Meire/Molenkouter. Despite the fact, it should not be surprising that cars are parked illegally in Meire. Local residents have complained for years that their street is not wide enough to safely handle all the traffic that needs to pass through. Footpath driving or footpath parking is common there. Read more about it here connection and this one connection.

The court found the man after reports from local residents, for example because they saw him bending down near a car while walking his dog. The man was finally caught near the Molenkouter. After a search by the police, a knife was also found in his jacket pocket. In court, the man asked to be released through his lawyer. “Because it has not been formally recognized for any truth,” he said, among other things. And: “There are no known camera images on which he appears. “

A local resident and one of the victims (see photo: “My car was completely on the street, but because it was turned a little it must have been inviting) attended the hearing in Oudenaarde and said that the prosecutor and the judge both found it strange. He does not give much credence to the suspect’s version: “At the same time, the tire was not flat when I parked the car, I happened to crouch down next to that tire and something happened to put in my pocket When I left that tire was found to be flat.” The same local resident also says that the 16 cars may just be the tip of the iceberg.

The public prosecutor’s office in Oudenaarde has requested a community service order of 60 hours and a fine of 800 euros. The court’s decision is scheduled for Thursday, November 28, 2024.