Former police officer and friend acquitted of raping drunk teen girl; Prosecutors appeal

A 45-year-old former police employee, Walco B., and his 48-year-old friend, Wouter van A., were acquitted of raping a drunk 17-year-old girl. The Public Prosecution Service has appealed the decision.

“The acquittal was and logically still is a major blow for her. She is preparing herself and is determined for the upcoming appeal,” victim’s lawyer Maaike Rotgans said in a written response on behalf of her client to NPO Radio 1 program Het Misdaadbureau.

During the trail at the end of June, a demonstration in the victim's support was organized at the court in Utrecht.

According to the Public Prosecution Service, B. and Van A. encountered the girl while they were out in IJsselstein on the night of Oct. 18, 2025. They offered to drive her home to Nieuwegein.

During the trip, they had allegedly stopped at a parking lot near a fast-food restaurant, where prosecutors said the victim was raped for 80 minutes.

The prosecution said the girl had been intoxicated and was in an extremely vulnerable position compared to the two men. Prosecutors said she did not want to have intercourse but was unable to leave.

According to the verdict, the court said the girl’s statements were credible but ruled that this alone was not enough to prove sexual abuse.

B.'s former police colleagues reportedly reacted with shock and anger after the allegations became public.