A court has sentenced four teenagers for the group assault of a 31-year-old homeless woman in Helmond, with sentences up to fifteen months in juvenile detention, partially suspended. A fifth suspect was found guilty of molestation.
The incident occurred in December 2023, when the woman was sitting alone on a bench in Burgemeester Geukerspark in Helmond. The court stated that the suspects approached, enclosed, and dragged her to a grass field where she was assaulted and repeatedly raped.
Her mobile phone was stolen as well. The trial was held behind closed doors due to the minors’ age at the time of the crime, now aged 17 and 18.
The court noted the societal impact and feelings of insecurity caused by such incidents, particularly for women. It also mentioned that the offenders were unaccompanied minors in the Netherlands, which may have contributed to the lack of supervision.
Three suspects received fifteen months of detention, with three months suspended, and another received twelve months, with three months suspended. The suspect only convicted of molestation was sentenced to four months.
Four out of five must pay the victim over 15,000 euros each in compensation.
Source: NOS