Arnhem man gets 20 years for robbing, killing Belgian man

Arnhem man Andreas W. was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Belgian court for robbing and killing 41-year-old Stefaan Bekeart in his home in Menen early in 2014. The 54-year-old Dutch man was convicted of manslaughter. His ex-partner, 44-year-old Adriana K. from Arnhem, was acquitted, De Gelderlander reports.

The Public Prosecution Service charged the two Dutch with murder and demanded 30 years in prison against W. and 20 years against K. But according to the court in Kortrijk, there is insufficient evidence to prove murder. The court considered it proven that K. was in the victim's home on the day of the crime, but there is not enough evidence to show that she was involved in killing the man.

Bekeart's body was found in his home in February 2014. He was stabbed 14 times. His body was found wrapped in a sail more than three weeks after he was killed. His bank card and car had been stolen.

The Dutch police found the stolen car, which led them to the Dutch couple. They stayed with the victim between December 2013 and late January 2014. The stolen debit card was used in the Netherlands, and W.'s DNA was found on the victim's pants. W.'s son also told his friends that his father killed a man in Belgium and that he helped put the body in the attic.

The two Dutch were arrested in the Netherlands and extradited to Belgium. They always denied involvement in Bekeart's death.