Former mayor of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht arrested for child sex abuse material

A former mayor of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht is in custody for possession of child sexual abuse images. The police arrested 77-year-old Herman J. last month, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) confirmed to Rijnmond, speaking of a “sensitive case.”

The court extended J.’s pre-trial custody by 90 days on March 5. The police are investigating the data storage devices seized from the suspect upon his arrest.

“It is crucial that the investigation can proceed calmly,” an OM spokesperson told the regional broadcaster.

J. was mayor of Hendri-Ido-Ambacht from 1996 to 2011, when he took early retirement. He also served as chairman of the ASWH football club and chairman of a magicians' association.

Before that, he was mayor of Vessem Wintelre en Knegsel in Noord-Brabant for over eight years. The municipality merged with Eersel in 1997. He also chaired the local PvdA faction in Gouda.