Violence against random passerby and police officer: Public Prosecution Service demands TBS

News report | 08-01-2026 | 17:01

Incident
On December 17, 2024, a then 26-year-old man attempted to strangle an unknown woman in Hoorn without cause using a neck hold. The woman was six months pregnant at the time and was on her way to the supermarket. Initially, she thought she was being robbed. Statements from the victim and several witnesses show that the man lay on the victim and covered her nose and mouth, preventing her from breathing. With his other hand, he squeezed her throat. A witness told the police she heard the woman gasping for air. Bystanders pulled the man away, after which he was arrested by the police. 

Once at the police station, things went wrong again. In the detention complex, the suspect resisted the so-called containment frisking. Based on various witness statements, the suspect tried to take the service weapon from one of the police officers, putting that officer in a neck hold. The officer stated he feared the suspect could pull the trigger and that the weapon could go off at any moment. Eventually, the fingers of the suspect were removed from the weapon. Colleagues were then able to overpower the suspect.

Disorder
The suspect was examined by behavioral experts. A psychologist and psychiatrist determined that the suspect has a psychological disorder, which was present at the time of the criminal acts and influenced and even determined the suspects behavior. Therefore, the criminal acts cannot be attributed to the suspect. However, there is a risk of recidivism and other risks, such as the suspects vulnerable social situation and the unclear reason why the suspect became so quickly and severely disordered. The behavioral experts, together with the Probation Service, advise a long-term and intensive compulsory treatment within a psychiatric care framework.

Sentence demand
These are very serious offenses with a very large impact on the two victims. They have suffered not only physical injuries but also mortal fears due to the suspects actions. The public prosecutor at the hearing said: Today, when reading the written victim statement of the police officer, we could hear how and for how long this has had an effect, and still does. And for the female victim, there is also the loss of her child. It cannot be said that there is a causal link with the events of December 17, 2024, but for her, the loss will always be associated with this event.

At the same time, experts advised not to attribute the acts to the suspect. In that context, it is difficult to blame the suspect, said the prosecutor. The OM requests dismissal of all prosecution and imposition of TBS with conditions for two years. The prosecutor also requests the award of the requested compensation by the police officer up to an amount of €5,000.

The court is expected to give its verdict in two weeks