JERSEY’S Attorney General has defended a decision to give bail to a rape suspect who then went on to commit another violent sex attack.
Nacer Eddine Benyoucef was freed on conditional bail by a Relief Magistrate last May, shortly after being charged with raping a 24-year-old woman while she lay unconscious on his bed.
Eight months later the 37-year-old violently raped and sodomised another woman while repeatedly slapping and trying to strangle her. On Monday, he was convicted of raping the first woman and raping and sodomising his second victim following an eight-day Assize trial. He will be sentenced next month.
Attorney General William Bailhache (pictured) said he understood that some people would be concerned that Benyoucef was bailed, but he believes that it was the right decision.
He said: ‘I understand why many people today will be sorry that the decision was taken, but at the time it was a right one.’
Article posted on 19th July, 2008 - 9.55am
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