Former police volunteer from Utrecht sentenced to 6 years jail for sexual abuse of boys

A 37-year-old man from Utrecht, who had worked as a police volunteer, has been sentenced to six years in prison. Between 2022 and 2024, he sexually abused at least two boys, sent sexual images to children, and possessed child abuse material. He was also ordered to undergo psychiatric care on Tuesday. At least 11 boys have come forward with complaints against him.

The case came to light two years ago when a 14-year-old boy contacted a police chatbot to report sexual contact with a man employed by the police force. During the subsequent investigation, detectives discovered a large amount of child pornography on the suspect’s phone.

The man used Snapchat to target boys between the ages of 13 and 17, sending nude photos of himself and soliciting similar images from them. According to the court, the man maintained a secret sexual relationship with one of the boys for a period of 18 months.

The man “abused the vulnerability and innocence of these boys in an unacceptable and inappropriate manner,” according to the judges. The court stated that he “allowed himself to be guided by his own sexual needs and desires” at the expense of “the physical and mental integrity of the victims.” One of the victims has since made several suicide attempts, according to the court's findings.

One of the victims was awarded 15,625 euros in damages, while the court ordered the perpetrator to pay another boy 13,000 euros in compensation for pain and suffering. Several other victims were also awarded damages as part of the ruling.