Man gets six months prison for group beating at Amsterdam metro station
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to six months in prison for his role in a violent group assault that took place last October at metro station Reigersbos in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, AT5 reports. The man was part of a group of seven attackers who repeatedly beat and kicked the victim, including while he lay defenseless on the ground.
The incident occurred on October 10, 2023. According to the court, the group entered the station together. As a metro train arrived with the victim on board, one of the assailants rushed toward him and struck him multiple times. The others quickly joined in.
“The victim was repeatedly punched and kicked, also during the two occasions when he was lying on the ground,” the court ruling stated.
The convicted man played what the court described as a significant role in the violence. “The suspect delivered hard kicks and continued the violence when part of the group had already run off,” the court wrote. “Even when he was the last of the group to leave, he turned back toward the victim and delivered another hard kick to the face.”
The victim suffered head injuries and experienced severe sleep problems for an extended period after the attack. The court emphasized that the assault also had a strong impact on witnesses. “The video images vividly show how several bystanders could only just get out of the way when the group attacked the victim,” the judgment said. “This type of behavior causes people to feel unsafe in public spaces and on public transport.”
The 22-year-old has prior convictions for violent offenses. He showed no remorse for his actions at the station. Experts assessed that he poses a high risk of committing further violent crimes in the future.
In addition to the six-month unconditional prison sentence, the court imposed a suspended sentence of two months. If he commits another offense, he will be required to serve that additional time. He must also report to probation services, cooperate with debt counseling, and complete a training program aimed at helping him understand his own behavior.
