The Public Prosecution Service (OM) in Northern Netherlands has demanded a six-month prison sentence against two suspects. Against two other suspects, the OM demanded community service sentences of 220 and 180 hours. The four individuals were employed at a care farm in Dokkum.
The OM accuses them of exploiting the vulnerability of clients of the care farm. The suspicions also focus on completely inappropriate and ineffective handling of undesirable situations. “This involves both clients and outsiders as victims,” said the public prosecutor.
For instance, a 15-year-old resident of the care farm was put in a chokehold, received two fists to the throat and a knee to the chest. Another resident was locked in a horse stable. A client was also threatened with death, and a neighbor received three blows to her face.
Intimidation
Additionally, two of the suspects (72 and 29) are accused of trying to extort money from someone outside the care farm through intimidation. They attempted this by yelling, banging on mailboxes, and ringing doorbells. One of the suspects also threatened to speak badly about him intentionally. They aimed to pressure someone into handing over 1800 euros, money they believed belonged to them.
Fraud
The OM also suspects one or more suspects of forging signatures and misusing personal data. Clients were made to sign forms they did not know, and forms were filled out and signatures forged without permission. One person is also suspected of embezzling goods from a client, including their savings.
Fear and insecurity
According to the public prosecutor, clients were used as cheap labor. They had to work long hours, and if the supervisors were dissatisfied, they were abused, threatened, and locked up. “The file is saturated with feelings of fear and insecurity,” said the public prosecutor, who believes that their vulnerability was grossly exploited. “Where the most vulnerable people needed help and guidance during an important life phase, their vulnerability was grossly exploited.”
Community service and prison sentences
Against a 72-year-old woman from the municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân and a 29-year-old man from the municipality of De Fryske Marren, six-month prison sentences have been demanded. The public prosecutor also demanded a five-year professional ban against the woman.
If it is up to the OM, a 50-year-old woman from the municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân should perform a community service of 220 hours. Against a 26-year-old man from the same municipality, the prosecutor demanded a community service of 180 hours.
Delay
The OM is prosecuting facts in this case that occurred five, six, or seven years ago. This is due to a police investigation during the corona period, internal delays at the OM, changes of lawyers among the suspects, and the resulting investigative requests from the examining magistrate. There was also a lack of court capacity. Nevertheless, the OM still finds it appropriate to prosecute the suspects. After all, these are serious facts for which prosecution serves multiple purposes, including publicly addressing them, so that society knows what has happened here.
The court in Leeuwarden will deliver its ruling on May 13, 2025.