MAASTRICHT - The Maastricht court sentenced one suspect in the Valkenburg vice case to six months in prison, three of which were suspended, for lewdness with a then 16-year-old girl. This perpetrator was a youth worker who counseled victims of loverboys.

A second suspect received five months in prison, two of which were suspended. This offender also worked with minors. Ten other suspects received one day in jail, combined with community service sentences of 120 to 240 hours. Legally, the court does have to impose a prison sentence, which is why the court opted for one day in jail plus community service.

Claim
The sentences are lower than what the prosecution had demanded. Many wanted the prosecution to see the men behind bars for five months to a year. The court assumed that the defendants did not knowingly seek sex with a minor. That makes the charge less severe, the judges said.
But the men did not sufficiently ascertain whether the girl was of age, the court said. Relying solely on the age stated in the sex ad or what the girl claimed about it is insufficient. According to the court, the defendants seriously violated the girl's physical integrity and caused her psychological harm.

The court will rule against a second group of the girl's clients next week.

Court reporter Saskia Belleman shares more details about the ruling via her Twitter feed.