AMSTENRADE/MAASTRICHT - The court in Maastricht sentenced Frits S.(50) from Kerkrade to three years in prison, six months of which were suspended, for extorting his hairdresser in Amstenrade. The public prosecutor (OM) had demanded six years in prison against the Kerkrade man. Frits S. asked his hairdresser to join him in the car in January this year, after which the two went for a drive. S. then informed his co-driver that he wanted a thousand euros from him and that two of his accomplices would pick it up in the barbershop. Should the barber not give the money he would never see his wife and daughter again, S. spoke to his barber in a threatening tone. The extortionist eventually went to collect the demanded money in the store, where, incidentally, he himself always came as a customer. A few weeks later, the Kerkrade man called the barber again and demanded another substantial sum (2,000 euros) from him. This time, however, the victim refused to pay and almost immediately went to the police.In consultation with the police, it was decided to try to entrap Frits S.. The barber involved was to call his extortionist and try to get him to make statements. With results, as S. made some incriminating statements during this overheard telephone conversation. After this, the suspected Kerkrade man was arrested. According to Serge Weening, attorney for Frits S., his client was owed money by his hairdresser, who, during Frits S.'s visits as a customer to his barbershop, had seen him carrying a gun. "I think there is not enough evidence to convict my client," Weening said. The lawyer is therefore appealing. As is the prosecutor, who thinks the sentence is too low.
The case will soon be before the court in Den Bosch.
