Paul van L. (36), who was busy with a move, made a string as a precaution on the cycle path on the Broekhovenseweg in Tilburg. When he made a striking vest to make the orange rope even more visible, exactly what was not the intention happened. A scooter rider was launched by the rope and was seriously injured. On appeal, the Tilburger received a lower sentence on Tuesday.
Tilburger Paul was previously sentenced to a month in prison. The court in Breda thought that Paul was not allowed to block the cycle path. In addition, he took no responsibility and blamed the victim for the accident. The scooter rider is said to have driven too fast and have been busy with his cell phone.
Substantial injuries
The accident happened five years ago and the consequences for the victim were great. He lost a few teeth, broke his jaw in two places, ran a concussion and had a crack in his neck vertebra. Only after more than a year could he return to work.
Paul went against the conviction. The Court sentenced the Tilburger to a 120 -hour community service. In this appeal, the judge ruled with more understanding for the Tilburger. “He had no wrong intentions and tried to improve the safety for movers and road users,” said the Court of Appeal.
Responsible
Because the rope, if only for a short time, has been left unattended and less visible, the Tilburger was sentenced to community service. Paul now lives in Colombia where he works online for a Dutch company. He can only perform the punishment as soon as he is back in the Netherlands.