Sex with underage prostitute may send six to prison

The Public Prosecutor demanded months-long prison sentences against the men suspected of having paid for sex with a 16 year old girl in a Valkenburg, Limburg hotel room. The highest demand was for one year in prison, NOS reports. Armin A., the pimp and main suspect in this case, was recently sentenced to two years in prison. So far, a total of 29 men are suspected of this offense. The cases against the first six appeared in the court in Maastricht on Thursday. None of the defendants were present at the hearing. On Wednesday the court determined that the trials will not be held behind closed doors. The police found five of these six suspects through the girl's phone and the other turned himself in. None of them have criminal records. The Public Prosecutor demanded a one year prison sentence against a 49 year old man. Against a 47 year old man, the prosecution wants a 12 month prison sentence, four of which suspended. A 52 year old and a 37 year old both heard demands of ten months in prison, four of which suspended. A 22 year old man could face six months, two of which suspended. And a 41 year old suspect heard eight months, four of which suspended. Reporter Kees van Dam told NOS that the Prosecutor's demands are quite high, because the Public Prosecutor drafted a unilateral guideline specifically for this case. "Until a few months back mainly community service and fines were demanded in such cases."