Former Olympian convicted of grooming

Former Dutch Olympic gymnast Alan V. was convicted of grooming and sentenced to 31 days in prison, 30 of which conditionally suspended, and 200 hours of community service. He also has to pay his victim 1,200 euros in damages, RTL Nieuws reports.

In 2015 V. encouraged a then 15-year-old girl to send him dozens of nude photos and videos. He used a false name and pretended that he was 18 years old. The contact lasted several months. During the trial a crying V. said that he was sorry. He knew the girl was 15, but found it difficult to stop the contact, he told the judge. He was depressed and lonely and sought attention, he said. After his arrest, V. immediately sought help and was admitted to a clinic.

The girl was afraid that V. would put the nude footage of her on the internet. "Do not force me, I'm still a child", she told him, was revealed in court. But according to the judge, V. "kept nagging and he played on her feelings for him in a refined way".

V. is also banned from contacting the victim.

The Public Prosecutor demanded 12 weeks in prison, 10 of which conditionally suspended, and 240 hours of community service against V.