Swimming teacher Edwin S. (45) from Sint-Oedenrode, who collected child pornography at home for years, no longer has to go to prison. The judge decided this on Friday. S. has a pedophilic disorder and personality problems. This makes him less accountable and the judge therefore considers it more important that he is treated.
Edwin S. was arrested in early November for possession of child pornography. He didn’t make it himself, but he spent years looking for photos on the internet. The police found 100,000 photos of naked children on twelve different data carriers belonging to Edwin E. 10,000 of these photos also showed pornographic acts.
The public prosecutor said during the hearing last week that he considered treatment more important than a prison sentence. He therefore demanded a prison sentence of 5.5 months, exactly the time that S. had already served while awaiting trial. The judge agrees. Because the man had already been in pre-trial detention for six months, he does not have to go back to jail. The judge does impose a package of measures on the swimming teacher that he must adhere to.
Strict conditions for three years
For example, S. must cooperate for three years under the supervision of the probation service in treatment aimed at his psychological and sexual problems. In addition, the judge imposes strict conditions on his internet use.
For example, he must avoid digital environments in which sex is discussed with minors. He is also not allowed to use encryption programs or a VPN to disguise his identity. And during unannounced home visits, he must hand over his passwords so that the probation service can check whether he complies with these conditions.
If he makes the mistake again, a suspended prison sentence of six months applies. That sentence is slightly lighter than the justice demanded, due to the personal circumstances and the suspect’s reduced accountability.
