Dutroux less a paedophile than an icy-hearted predator

PSYCHIATRISTS say Marc Dutroux — dubbed the “Monster of Charleroi” by the Belgian press — is less a paedophile than an icy-hearted predator with a murderous desire to control his victims.

The public’s shock turned to fury when it emerged not only that police had missed a string of clues that could have led to Dutroux being apprehended earlier, but that he had been released from jail in 1992 after serving just three years of a 13-year sentence for the abduction and rape of five girls.

Dutroux is alleged to have lived on the lucrative proceeds of drug-dealing and trading in stolen cars.