Prosecutors demand life for paedophile Dutroux

Prosecutors today called for paedophile Marc Dutroux to spend the rest of his life behind bars for multiple counts of child rape and murder that made him the most reviled man in Belgium.

Dutroux was convicted last week of three murders and a series of rapes and abductions at the end of what was dubbed Belgium’s “trial of the century.”

Defence lawyers were to to make final submissions today before the 12 member jury and three-judge panel retired to determine sentencing, expected as early as tomorrow, court spokesman Nico Snelders said.

Dutroux, a 47-year-old unemployed electrician, was convicted of abducting, imprisoning and raping six girls in 1995-96.

He also was found guilty of murdering two of the girls, 17-year-old An Marchal and 19-year-old Eefje Lambrecks, as well as an accomplice, Bernard Weinstein.

Their bodies were found buried on his property, which featured a specially built basement cell where the victims had been imprisoned.

Prosecutor Michel Bourlet said Dutroux’s ex-wife, Michelle Martin, 44, one of three co-defendants, should get a sentence of between 30 and 35 years.

He called for a 30-year term for Michel Lelievre, aged 32, and 10 years for Michel Nihoul, aged 62.

Dutroux deserves “the heaviest sentence, life,” Bourlet told the court in the Belgian city of Arlon.