See, it could've been worse.

A Charleroi shopkeeper was in court for tying up a shoplifter in 2008 at one of the city’s busiest roundabouts wearing only his underwear and “I am a thief” written in indelible ink on his stomach. The defense asked for the verdict to be suspended on the grounds that his client was the victim of multiple thefts that have never resulted in a conviction.

Return it to where you found it.

A 1.3-metre medical probe was left inside a patient after an operation at the Sint-Augustinus hospital in Antwerp. The 55-year-old woman was unable to eat and lost 30kg during the four-month ordeal. Her husband pulled out the probe after noticing something at the back of her throat. Another patient was earlier found to have been living with two pairs of 16cm long scissors inside him for over a year.

Party on!

Tentsletje, or a loose festival-going girl, is the new word of 2010 in Flanders, announced Van Dale publishers. The word caught the imagination of one quarter of the 20,000 people surveyed online. The runners-up were pedopriester, a paedophile priest, and ontdopen, to be de-baptised.

For richer, not poorer.

Delta Lloyd bank has said it will shed its poor customers in order to focus on cash-rich companies and individuals. “Those who look for an Aldi are not at the right address with us,” said Belgian CEO Piet Verbrugge. Customers older than 35 must have at least €75,000 and save at least €1,200 a month.

Just make it a garage.

A farmhouse in Dour was hit by a car for the 21st time in the past two years on Saturday, December 18. It took more than an hour to free the driver from the wreckage in this latest accident. The farm is located on the main road between Dour and the French border at Athis.