TS (38) from Heerhugowaard has to go to jail for 8 days for committing violence during AZ’s home game against West Ham United. He will also be sentenced to 150 hours of community service. That is what the magistrate decided this morning. S. is one of seven men from the Alkmaar region accused of involvement in the fights and riots.
All seven men who are in the dock today are suspected of assaulting the police, stewards and spectators during the AZ-West Ham United match on May 18 at the AFAS Stadium. Two of them are also suspected of assaulting riot police officers. One of them must appear before the three-judge chamber, that case will be dealt with later. The seven have been detained since their arrest.
In fast-track proceedings, a suspect is brought before the court within 17 days, as is also the case in these cases. To contain football violence, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) takes a strict approach.
Violence against West Ham supporters
The first to appear in court today is 38-year-old TS from Heerhugowaard. He did not wear a face covering during the fighting. According to the Public Prosecution Service, images would show him kicking a West Ham supporter in the back.
The Englishman then tries to flee, but TS does not let him escape, the public prosecutor describes. He grabs his pants and pulls him back. Then he is also punched hard in the face and kicked. The Heerhugowaarder also recognizes this. His lawyer pleads for acquittal or community service.
Requirement: 9 weeks in prison and ban on location
The public prosecutor is demanding a prison sentence of 9 weeks, three of which are suspended with a probationary period of three years. The OM also wants to impose a location ban in a radius of 500 meters around the AZ stadium. The magistrate will issue a verdict after five minutes. According to the judge, the violence committed has been proven and it is a “very serious offense”.
That’s why she doesn’t think community service alone is enough. However, the judge finds the demand set to be too high. She sentences him to 30 days in prison, 22 days of which are suspended. With a probationary period of two years and with the deduction of pre-trial detention. He will also receive a hefty community service of 150 hours. Failure to comply will result in 75 days in prison. The court rejects the location ban, also because he has already received a stadium ban.
He has two weeks to appeal the ruling.