Student who threatened staff with Samurai sword sentenced to 120 days in prison
A 24-year-old student at The Hague University of Applied Sciences was sentenced Tuesday to 120 days in prison, following his arrest in May for threatening staff members with a samurai sword, Omroep West reports. The court ruled that while the student was in a psychotic state triggered by cannabis use during the May 8 incident, he was still partly responsible for his actions.
The student, identified as D.D., caused panic on May 8 when he entered the school building wielding a samurai sword. At the time, about 2,000 people were present. He threatened employees on his way to meet with a dean, forcing one staff member to hide under a desk.
Security guards initially escorted D.D. to a secure room, but he broke into a staff office and waved the sword above his head. Police arrived quickly and fired a taser three times with no immediate effect. After a fourth shock, D.D. collapsed and was subdued with pepper spray.
In court, D.D. said he had no memory of the event, describing it as a “big black hole” caused by a psychosis linked to cannabis use. His defense lawyer argued he was not responsible due to his mental state.
The judge rejected this and said D.D. “should have known better” than to use cannabis while aware it could affect his behavior. Of the 120-day sentence, 35 days are suspended. D.D. has already served 85 days in pretrial detention.
The court also ordered him to undergo treatment and drug testing. He must pay 1,000 euros in damages to the threatened staff member and 15,000 euros to the university. The university has provided trauma counseling for witnesses affected by the incident.
