The court in Zutphen sentenced hostage taker Corné H. to nine months in prison and TBS on Tuesday. The Public Prosecution Service had aimed for one year in prison and TBS, but the judge wants the perpetrator to start his TBS treatment as soon as possible. This is reported by the ANP news agency.
Last March 30, H. took the staff of the Gelderland café Petticoat in Ede hostage for more than seven hours. The man armed with bread knives also threatened to blow up the street. He eventually surrendered to the police.
H. walked into the cafe he frequented as a teenager at five in the morning, while the owner and three employees were having a closing drink. He ordered the hostages to call the police, after which great panic broke out. The authorities cordoned off the entire center, evacuated residents of 150 surrounding homes, halted train traffic and forced shops to close.
The 28-year-old man has autism and post-traumatic stress disorder. He has struggled with psychological problems since he was sixteen, but was unable to find appropriate care.
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