The 45-year-old suspect in the Barendrecht abuse case expressed regret in court, admitting to his actions. Mels van B. attended the first preparatory hearing in Rotterdam, where it was confirmed he will remain in custody and undergo observation at the Pieter Baan Center.
The investigation continues, with the Public Prosecution Service set to present charges once concluded. The number of victims is reported to be around thirty, with abuse occurring in Van B.’s home in Barendrecht and a campsite in Hoeven.
Van B. was arrested in September after admitting to abusing nineteen girls, later increased to 22 by the prosecution. Victim support organization Namens de Familie, part of Victim Support, stated they are assisting 29 victims from 26 families.
The suspect stated that his victims were girls aged 9 to 12, in the late primary school phase. The trial will resume on March 3.
Source: NOS