While walking, cycling, or skating, suddenly being grabbed by a breast, buttock, or in your groin. In the fields around Leiden, as many as thirty women experienced this. They were repeatedly assaulted by a cyclist, who then pedaled away without a word. A 57-year-old suspect stood trial today.
The assaults took place between May 2019 and August 2023. A total of 29 women and one underage girl filed complaints. Only after the cyclist was captured on the camera of a boat rental service in the summer of 2023 could he be tracked down. The footage was shown in the regional investigation program Team West, which was then shared in the WhatsApp group of the suspects cycling club. The next day, he reported himself to the police.
In half of the reports, the police could link the assault to data from the suspects bike computer. In all other cases, there was a similar method or description of the suspect. According to the Public Prosecution Service, all thirty assaults are proven.
Calculating
Experts have diagnosed the suspect with a sexual disorder to which he could not resist. At the same time, he seems to have made calculated choices. He stated that he sometimes went cycling when he felt the urge, when he wanted to touch a woman unexpectedly. Sometimes he also waited for his victims. He never thought to seek help. Only when he was captured on camera did he stop.
The public prosecutor took into account that the facts could be attributed to the suspect to a lesser extent, but also had a large number of aggravating circumstances to consider. For example, the long period and the large number of victims, and the societal unrest that such acts cause. And the victims will no longer easily walk or cycle carefree or alone. The suspect is responsible for that.
The Public Prosecution Service demanded a prison sentence of 36 months, of which 18 months are conditional. The court will rule in two weeks.