The Public Prosecution Service demands 48 months of imprisonment, of which 12 months are conditional, with a probation period of 5 years against a 43-year-old man from Harderwijk. The man is suspected of having digital sexual contacts with multiple young girls. He is alleged to have sent photos and videos of himself via Snapchat, persuaded the underage victims to do the same, and even tried to meet some of the victims. “One of the biggest nightmares for any parent,” states the prosecutor today in court.
The abuse came to light after the mother of one of the victims obtained her daughters phone. The vigilant mother immediately sounded the alarm, allowing the police to arrest the man in June 2024. Since then, the suspect has been in custody. An investigation of the suspects phone revealed that he sought sexual contact with multiple girls.
Harmful Images
Further investigation of the phone shows that the suspect has been approaching underage victims via Snapchat since July 2023. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the purpose of the contact is clear: sending and requesting harmful sexual photos and videos (for minors). From the images he receives from victims, the suspect makes recordings. In addition to the images he takes from the victims, it turns out that the suspect also possesses child and animal pornography.
However, it does not stop there. Conversations between the suspect and the victims reveal that the man is not satisfied with just digital contact. The suspect makes plans with several victims to actually meet. These plans go so far that one of the victims even shares the address of the playground in her hometown. In the same conversation, the suspect discusses the sexual acts he wants to perform with her.
Help Against Online Child Lurers
Seeking sexual contact with minors via the internet is unfortunately not a new phenomenon. Therefore, the police share some tips for parents to combat online child lurers:
- Discuss with your children that they should never meet someone they have met online without proper caution.
- Also discuss the importance of thinking carefully before sharing personal things online, such as photos or address details.
- Do you suspect that your children are at risk of becoming victims of online child lurers? Report this to the police. A report can be the basis for police, justice, or investigative and intelligence services to take action.
“Serious Violation”
The Public Prosecution Service considers the suspects actions very serious and impactful for the victims. “The actions have made a significant violation of the personal and sexual integrity of the victims,” begins the prosecutor. The suspect has also, according to the prosecutor, increased the chance of an unhealthy sexual development of the victims through his actions. Additionally, the prosecutor acknowledges the impact this case must have had on the parents of the young victims. “They have had to experience how their child was confronted with sexuality by a strange man that in no way fits their age,” says the prosecutor.
Sentence Demand
In determining the sentence demand, the Public Prosecution Service takes several factors into account. Firstly, the sentence must serve as protection for the young victims. The Public Prosecution Service also hopes that the sentence has a deterrent effect on the suspect and the outside world. At the same time, the Public Prosecution Service considers the personal circumstances of the suspect. The Public Prosecution Service weighs in that the suspect has been declared partially unaccountable. It also takes into account the fact that the suspect needs substantial treatment.
Weighing everything, the Public Prosecution Service demands a prison sentence of 48 months, of which 12 months are conditional, with a probation period of 5 years against the 43-year-old suspect. During the probation period, the Public Prosecution Service believes, among other things, that the probation service should supervise the suspect and that he should receive treatment. Moreover, the Public Prosecution Service demands that the suspect pay compensation to the victims.