Relatives embraced each other emotionally on Tuesday after the conviction of Thomas van de G. The man who killed an entire family from Raamsdonksveer will spend ten years in prison and will be given a TBS with compulsory treatment. “Amazement and relief,” is how victim lawyer Ine Dilven summarizes the emotions.
“The family is very relieved, especially because the court calls it manslaughter. That recognition is important and fits this serious offense. That also fits their feelings,” says Dilven.
The judge on Tuesday gave a heavier sentence than had been demanded. Two weeks ago, the justice department asked for a seven-year prison sentence and TBS during the substantive hearing. “We were surprised that the sentence was higher. This is a very clear signal about how the court views such driving behavior.”
Black period
The heavier sentence is a support for the family, says the victim lawyer: “This has been a very unpleasant black period for them. They hope that they can now move towards closure. They will never get their family back. This feels like some recognition for the suffering that was inflicted on them. Then you indeed see relief and tears of emotion that this chapter has been closed.”
The lawsuit was a difficult period for the surviving relatives, their lawyer knows. They previously told their story in court in an emotional manner. “No punishment is too high. You took everything from us,” the aunt of the deceased family said earlier in the courtroom.
200 kilometers per hour
The court found the requirement too low. Even though De G. has borderline and is narcissistic, he was completely accountable. He also drove extremely dangerously and had been drinking heavily. He crashed into the family’s car at more than 200 kilometers per hour. “He accepted the fact that he was putting their lives at risk,” the judge said. For all this, the court believes a higher sentence is appropriate.
Thomas de G. from Zevenbergschen Hoek killed an entire family last March 10. A 10-year-old girl, her 13-year-old brother and both parents (both 46) were killed. It happened on the A59 near Sprang-Capelle.
Excited
“Thomas is quite shaken. This obviously takes some effort to process,” said Pieter van de Kerkhof, the convict’s lawyer. “It’s a disappointing statement.” His lawyer could not say on Tuesday afternoon whether Thomas de G. will appeal against the ruling.
Earlier, the aunt of the deceased family read an emotional statement in court.