The man who so badly mistreated Ties van Beek at a festival in November 2019 that he became blind in one eye has to go to jail for six months. That was decided by the court in Den Bosch on Monday. In addition to the prison sentence, the 28-year-old perpetrator, a professional kick boxer from Eindhoven, must also pay Ties compensation of more than 36,500 euros.
Ties was hit so hard on the head by the Eindhoven resident at the Bontgenoten Winter Festival that he broke his eye socket, cheekbones and nose. He also suffered permanent damage to his eye, so that he can no longer see with his left eye for the rest of his life.
The public prosecutor previously demanded 18 months in prison. The court now imposes eight months in prison, of which two months are conditional. The judge sees what happened at the festival as a one-time misstep by the Eindhoven resident. According to the judge, he has shown that he is willing to compensate the victim for the damage. According to the court, there was also no intention to inflict serious injury on Ties.
According to the court, there was a considerable chance that such a hard blow to the face would lead to serious injuries. Especially since the suspect is a trained martial artist.
Lawyer asked for acquittal
The lawyer of the Eindhoven resident previously argued for his client’s acquittal. He indeed handed out one punch, but according to the lawyer it cannot be determined how hard the punch was made, nor that the Eindhoven resident deliberately aimed at the victim’s eye. In addition, according to his lawyer, the Eindhovener would have acted out of emergency. A friend of his is said to have been attacked and his client wanted to protect his friend.
The court did not agree with this story.
ALSO READ:
Ties is blind in one eye after assault: suspect hears 18 months demands