A man from Dalen has been convicted of abusing his former girl next door in Emmen, whom he regularly babysat. She was 7 years old when it started.
The court in Zwolle has sentenced the 57-year-old man to one year in prison, six months of which are suspended. He has never been in contact with the law before and has denied the abuse. According to him, he accidentally touched the girl twice when they were dancing.
The court rules that there is enough evidence for sexual abuse between the beginning of 2014 and July 2019. In those five years he touched the girl several times, she and her mother have stated to the police.
When her mother had to work, the girl was at home with her neighbor and his father. He was still living in Emmen at the time. The abuse took place while babysitting. When it came out, the child’s mother filed a report. The police also spoke to the girl herself.
‘Statements unreliable’
During the trial two weeks ago, the public prosecutor demanded twenty months in prison, ten of which were suspended. The Dalenaar’s lawyer asked for an acquittal. According to him, the statements of the mother and the girl are unreliable and additional evidence is lacking.
But the court does find them reliable and takes supporting evidence from Whatsapp messages that the man has sent to the mother. In it he apologizes for what happened and says that he will seek help through the GGZ.
Vulnerable victim
“By acting in this way, the suspect abused the vulnerability and trust of the young victim. He also committed a very serious violation of her physical integrity,” the court said. “The victim may carry the psychological burden of the event for a long time to come.”
In addition to going to jail, the man must also pay the girl 5,000 euros in compensation.