Murdered girl, 12, also sexually abused

12-year-old Djamila Marissen from Hoogeveen was sexually abused before being murdered last year, the Public Prosecutor revealed in a pro-forma hearing on Tuesday. The man suspected of sexually abusing and strangling Djamila to death, is her stepfather 47-year-old Freddy D., NOS reports.

Freddy D. showed up at a police station in Assen with Djamila's body the the trunk of his car in October last year. According to the Public Prosecutor, D. strangled the girl near Staphorst. He was initially suspected of murder, but the Public Prosecutor changed the charges to manslaughter and sexual abuse.

The Public Prosecutor previously asked that a reconstruction be done of the crime. But after extensively questioning D. again last week, the Prosecutor no longer considers this necessary.

D. told the court that he regrets what he did and has nightmares about it every night, according to RTV Drenthe.

The trial against D. will start on May 15th.