Former Vitesse youth coach sentenced to community service for sexual texts to girl, 16

A 41-year-old former Vitesse youth coach was handed a 100-hour community service sentence, including 40 hours conditionally suspended, by the Breda court on Thursday for sending sexually explicit WhatsApp messages to a 16-year-old girl. The victim attended Marc H.’s football school and took private lessons from him.

“The power imbalance, while the suspect was aware of the victim’s age, makes the suspect’s actions particularly reprehensible,” the court ruled. “Offenses of this nature cause harm to minors, who are still at the beginning of their sexual development.”

The court suspended part of the sentence to reduce the risk of the suspect committing another offense.

H. confessed to sending the messages in September last year. In the WhatsApp chat, he asked the girl if she wanted to kiss him, sent messages about sexual acts, and requested a video call. The victim recorded the conversation and provided it to the police.

H. coached Vitesse’s top youth team. The Arnhem club dismissed him in July, and since then, he has struggled to find employment, according to the court ruling. The court noted that his job situation and the media coverage of the case have “for a long time placed significant strain on his relationships and family life, impacting both the suspect’s well-being and that of his immediate circle.”

The former coach also used to play as a professional, playing for Heracles Almelo, Helmond Sport , ADO Den Haag, Willem II, and Roda JC. H. did not attend the hearing, citing the threats that he has received since the news was reported.