A 50-year-old man without a fixed residence heard today that 18 months of imprisonment is demanded after he deliberately ran over his ex-partner. This happened in Den Bosch in January of this year.
The victim had ended the relationship with the suspect, but he did not accept that according to the victim. The Public Prosecution Service believes her statements. Despite the victim clearly telling him that she did not want any contact with him anymore, the suspect repeatedly demanded a conversation with her about the broken relationship. She had no desire for that at all.
On January 22, the situation escalates completely. The suspect first shows up multiple times at her work and then, after her workday, near her home. She parks her car and almost immediately he comes driving up. He again demands a conversation. She does not respond and walks past his car to her home. As she is behind his car, he suddenly accelerates and runs into her from behind. She is then dragged several meters. The woman miraculously escapes with significant bruises and scratches, but according to the Public Prosecution Service, it could have ended much worse. After the incident, the suspect drives away without caring for his ex. The collision is clearly recorded on security cameras in the street. According to the Public Prosecution Service, this constitutes attempted manslaughter.
Fear of Recurrence
Not only this incident stands out. The suspect had already been tried a few months before this incident for assaulting his ex and was convicted for that. At the time of the incident, he was under probation. “This is again an example of violence against a woman and shows that the current societal attention for violence against ex-partners is not without reason. And also in this case, I see an increase in violence; where it was first an assault, it is now deliberately driving into his ex-partner just because he demanded a conversation and did not get it.”
According to the prosecutor, this is a serious case. “The question arises as to how the suspect came to this act. The mere fact that the relationship between the two has ended and the suspect tries to force answers raises fears of recurrence.”
Domestic Violence
Annually, an estimated 200,000 to 230,000 adults deal with serious or repeated domestic violence. Over 100,000 children per year are victims of child abuse. The Public Prosecution Service and police give high priority to tackling domestic violence. Domestic violence involves (serious) criminal offenses such as physical and sexual assault, stalking, and threats.