The murder of Eindhove resident Rob Sengers remained unsolved for almost twenty years. But thanks to modern DNA techniques, a suspect emerged: the criminal Jan S., now 62 years old. The court finds that there is enough evidence that he was the perpetrator and imposed a life sentence on Tuesday. That was the only punishment that was appropriate, the judge found.
The fact that Jan S. carried out two liquidations in two years was a factor before the court in Breda. The court considers retaliation to be important, as well as a deterrent effect. “Only strong action can curb this form of crime,” the judge said.
Moreover, the court takes into account that the man could do something like this again in the future. Because he showed ‘no compassion whatsoever’. In addition, his extensive criminal record also counted.
Scooter
There is sufficient evidence in court that Jan S. was the perpetrator. His DNA was found on both handles of a scooter, next to powder residue. The shooter had ridden that scooter after the murder. The thing was dumped nearby and later found.
Other key evidence is an incriminating statement from his ex-girlfriend. Jan had told her ‘proudly’ about a murder ‘somewhere near a restaurant in a wooded area where a scooter was used’. His ex told the police this and that statement ended up in the file.
The other incriminating statement came from an anonymous and threatened witness. He told the police about the murder in Son in 2002 of Mohamed Yaacoubi from Breda. Yaacoubi is said to have stolen chemicals for drug production with Sengers.
Tears
Both Mohamed Yaacoubi and Rob Sengers had to pay for this. They were both shot dead by Jan S.. The anonymous witness knew less about Sengers’ murder and therefore that evidence is insufficient.
Jan S. was not there on Tuesday, as had already been announced. His lawyers were also missing. Sengers’ mother was there. She was in tears when she heard about the punishment and was comforted. Tears also flowed from relatives of Breda resident Mohamed Yaacoubi.
Victims in the car
The police, the judiciary and now also the court state that both settlements were similar in terms of method. The perpetrator approached the victim on a scooter while he was still in the car.
Jan S. was previously sentenced to eighteen years in prison for the murder of Yaacoubi. He had served that sentence last fall.
Sengers was shot dead in a parking lot at a restaurant in Esbeek on September 8, 2004. The perpetrator was a man on a black scooter with a dark helmet. He only left behind the scooter, eight bullet casings, and his DNA. He remained unknown for years. When DNA techniques improved, there was enough to keep S. in his cell in December 2018.
“I don’t want to say anything,” he said at the start of his trial. He didn’t want to answer any questions.
The trial was followed closely two weeks ago by the victim’s son and daughter and Sengers’ parents, both now in their eighties. Their lawyer read a statement. “Rob, father of two children, was shot dead in cold blood, beastly. And for what? For a few damn cents. It still makes us sad. You had a choice at the time. In our eyes you are the worst.”
Motive
The person who ordered the murder has never been identified. All kinds of names have been mentioned but without proof. There were also many stories circulating about Sengers’ large debts.
Life sentences are imposed several times a year in the Netherlands. This has happened five times in Brabant this century.
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Jan S.’s lawyers called the witness statements unreliable and therefore unusable. They asked for an acquittal