Thursday sees the final stage of a trial against a former social worker accused of sexually harassing and assaulting a string of vulnerable women while carrying out his duties for Sanem municipal council.

The defendant is said to have sexually harassed nine women who sought assistance from social services between 2010 and 2019. In one such case, he stands accused of rape.

The prosecution has requested a nine-year sentence, stating the defendant's acts were a reflection of his methodical and systematic abuse his position of power over vulnerable adults.

The defendant's lawyers have asked for the rape charge to be dropped, and for any eventual prison sentence to be suspended. They admitted their client had failed to behave appropriately and, moreover, was aware of this and had subsequently sought therapy to prevent this behaviour in future. However, they claimed he had never raped any of his victims and there was no evidence of sexual assault, pitting the victim's word against the defendant's.

The verdict is due on 16 October.