For extorting and attempting to extort six men in Southeast Drenthe who thought they were on a date with a minor, a 24-year-old man from Klazienaveen has been sentenced to 24 months in prison, eight of which are conditional.
A 25-year-old co-suspect, also from Klazienaveen, must perform 200 hours of community service for his part. The youngest of these three, an 18-year-old Emmen resident, has been sentenced to 199 days of youth detention, of which 180 days are conditional. He must also work 80 hours as punishment. The three created fake accounts on dating sites in September 2023. And posed as minors who were up for a sex date.
The victims responded. One of them thought he was chatting with a young woman. They were soon confronted with the spicy conversations. They threatened to make it public if payment was not made. Or they were met at the agreed location and threatened.
One of the men was visited at home. There the resident was called a pedophile and humiliated. The intruders were chased out of the house at knifepoint.
The suspects were mainly concerned about the money, the judge said. However, most did not pay. Not to appeal to men about their sexual preference. It is up to the police to investigate criminal offenses and the judge will ultimately decide on this. Playing before one’s own judge is out of the question, the judge ruled.
The three men have in no way taken into account the feelings and consequences for the victims. This behavior also affects the sense of safety in society.