Young man gets 6 years in prison, psych treatment for Ede woman's murder

A 21-year-old man from Ede was sentenced to six years in prison and institutionalized psychiatric treatment for strangling 19-year-old Willianne van Stempvoort to death in their hometown in November last year. The sentence is equal to what the Public Prosecutor demanded, NOS reports.

The victim and perpetrator knew each other from school. Thomas B. told the court that he made an appointment for paid sex with the victim. After their meeting, the victim became angry because B. did not bring th money. He panicked and strangled her with a rope he happened to have on him. He also hit her with a pruning shear he found in her home, he told the court.

The victim was found by her sister. Emergency services tried to resuscitate her, but it was to no avail. She died at the scene. B. was arrested a day after the murder.

According to the mental health professional who examined B., the young man functions at the level of a child. As he is not completely accountable for his crime, the Public Prosecutor demanded a lower prison sentence, with added institutionalized psychiatric care. According to the court, B. will spend a long time in a psychiatric institution, because society must be protected from the man, NOS reports.

B. also has to pay almost 25 thousand euros in compensation to Van Stempvoort's sister, for the emotional shock she received when she found her sister in critical condition in their home. According to Omroep Gelderland, he also has to pay another 13 thousand euros in compensation to the victim's sister and parents, for costs they incurred due to the young woman's murder.