Housing association Alwel in Roosendaal had known for some time that the man who tragically stabbed his neighbor on New Year’s Day had psychological problems and was causing a nuisance. Yet it is not easy to evict someone from their home in such cases.
The confused man entered the home of his 19-year-old neighbor on December 31 and stabbed him 34 times in the body and 16 times in the head. The victim has more than 150 stitches. The suspect has been arrested and is in custody.
In September, the housing association first heard from the local police officer that this man was exhibiting confused behavior. “Afterwards we also received reports from the neighbors,” said Alwel’s spokesperson. “But that does not mean that we can or want to evict him from the home. In the Netherlands, people with psychological problems are allowed to live at home and we support that.”
‘Research was not ready yet’
Alwel immediately consulted with the police, GGZ and the municipality of Roosendaal in the autumn to see what help and measures were needed. “We opened a file after the report in September, but this happened before the investigation was completed. We are very sorry about what happened,” the spokesperson said.
The housing association now wants the suspect to live somewhere else. Local residents have received a letter from Alwel stating that she has asked the perpetrator to voluntarily terminate the rent. “That is the fastest way, because evicting someone from their home is only possible if that person has been convicted by a judge,” a spokesperson explains. She expects that it will take some time before that process is completed. “That is why we asked through his lawyer if he wanted to leave before then.”
YOU MAY ALSO FIND THIS INTERESTING:
An acquaintance tells Omroep Brabant on behalf of the victim what happened and how the 19-year-old is doing now
Man (19) stabbed by neighbor: ‘He was covered in blood’