Today the court will be full of Belgian reporters because they are going to examine the kidnapping of Fourniret's youngest victim, Elisabeth Brichet, just 12 and a half, on the outskirts of Namur when she was on her way home. It was December 1989.

Founiret had spied on her for three hours, driving around in his van with Monique Olivier and their baby, before pouncing - persuading her to get into the van to show them the way to a doctor for their son. No-one witnessed him taking her, right there in the street in broad daylight.

He drove into France and took her to his house in Floing where she was assaulted. She was kept tied to a bed all night and then put in the boot of his car fr the drive to the chateau at Sautou.

He assaulted her again and then strangled her. Her body was kept in a freezer for several days before he buried her in the grounds of the chateau.

Her mother and the Belgian police tried desperately to find her for 15 years until Fourniret confessed to the crime and told them where they could find her remains in July 2004.

Her anorak and identity papers were found and her head was covered in plastic 'to protect her from the earth' claimed the murderer.

This must surely be one of his most horrific crimes.

Today he is being prosecuted for false imprisonment and murder, preceded by attempted  rape of a minor. Monique Olivier is accused of being his accomplice.