15 years in prison and then another TBS with compulsory treatment. The now 26-year-old teacher assistant Wesley W. from Helmond could lose his freedom for a long time, if it were up to the public prosecutor. The floor is now up to the judges in Den Bosch. They will make their ruling on February 13.
‘Monster’ and that you can ‘rot in hell’. W. had those words thrown at him by a few parents. The events in the Brandevoort district of Helmond have cut deep and left a scar.
Dozens of parents were in the courtroom on both hearing days. Their massive presence alone made it clear how far-reaching and large-scale the abuse was.
That started when Wesley was just a teenager of 15 years old. He grew up in a family that experienced a lot of sadness. His sister had died young, a disabled brother, and mother was ill. “The suspect was still a child who had to deal with a lot,” said the public prosecutor. “He sometimes felt very alone, but I don’t see a causal connection.”
“Where would this have ended if it had not been stopped by some brave children, parents and police?”
Wesley struggled with his pedophilic disorder from an early age. “But he should never have acted on those forbidden desires. He didn’t look for help, he went looking for children.”
In ten years he became a popular classroom assistant, babysitter and volunteer. But also a sex offender. Out of sight of adults, he groped young children in the most intimate places. He also let those children sit with him, and sometimes even with each other, as was the case with a brother and a sister. “An absolute low point in the file,” said the public prosecutor. He was guilty of the abuse hundreds of times. And he filmed and photographed that abuse for his own pleasure.
According to the public prosecutor, Wesley always went one step further. “From tickling on the clothes, to the underpants, in the panties and even between the labia. He went further and further.” The victims were extremely young: “The youngest was 2, the oldest was 10. Where would this have ended if he had not been stopped by a few brave children, parents and police? Then he might have continued for years.” On his birthday in 2024, Wesley was arrested.
“In our view, he is less accountable.”
Psychologist and psychiatrist examined him and saw various disorders. This is important for the well-founded choice that the judges have to make. His lawyer broadly accepted the diagnosis and almost all reports, except one.
She also had critical points. “In our view, he is less accountable. He found it difficult to resist these feelings.” He always felt shame and regret, but the obsession then took over.
The lawyer asked to take this into account in sentencing; not fifteen years but five years in prison would be better. The TBS should be with conditions, it is shorter and lighter.
“You bastard.”
At the end of his trial, he indirectly addressed the victims’ parents. “Your words last Thursday touched me. I wish you the best and will make sure you never have to see me again.”
When Wesley left the courtroom, some parents in the public gallery made themselves heard. There were a few shouts such as ‘fak you’, ‘scumbag’ and ‘be careful boy’.
“This breaks your heart, doesn’t it?”
The victims in this sex case were skillfully left out of the picture. Their names were not mentioned. Only codes were used.
Some of those children still miss Wesley W., the officer said: “A child has said that she regrets talking to the police because she is afraid that she will never see Master Wesley again. Another child wonders whether Wesley gets good food in prison. Doesn’t this break your heart?”
What was special was that the public prosecutor addressed all the victims in her indictment. “I want to say to all children: There is really nothing to be ashamed of. This was not your fault. You did not have to say stop. There is only one person who should be ashamed.”
Those words made an impression on everyone.
Here you can read all the stories about the abuse case surrounding Wesley W. from Helmond.