Fmr. mayor denies sexually abusing boy; Tells Rotterdam court child sex content isn’t his

The former mayor of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht appeared in court on Tuesday to deny allegations that he sexually abused a boy for over a decade during his time in office. Herman J. is also suspected of possessing child sexual abuse material, and he said during his first public appearance at the Rotterdam District Court that the digital files were not his, but were sent to him.

The 77-year-old was the longtime mayor of the Zuid-Holland town, located just outside of Dordrecht. He remained in his position from 1996 to 2011. The allegations of sexual abuse involving the young victim cover a period between 2005 and 2016.

“I have no memory whatsoever of any sexual contact,” said J. “So it did not take place.” He said the victim’s situation is “sad,” and only acknowledged that he had long conversations with the boy during the period in question. “I acted as a sounding board.”

The suspect was found to have no mental disorders. “Not even a pedophilic disorder,” J. emphasized when speaking to reporters present at the hearing.

Police arrested him on February 17. The court denied his request to remain out of custody while awaiting trial, pointing to a risk of repeat offending. It ruled that J. had not been sufficiently transparent about his “sexual experiences and the underlying facts.”

Judges also said there is still a strong suspicion in the case, along with concerns about messages attributed to J. in the investigation file, which are expected to be examined during the full hearing.

The merits of the case will be examined in court in Dordrecht on June 23.