WILLEMSTAD - A 26-year-old man was convicted by the court on Wednesday of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. The suspect had sex with her multiple times in December 2023 and was eventually tracked down after a report from the father. The judge sentenced the man to 30 months in prison, of which 18 months were conditional with a probation period of two years.
The abuse came to light after the girl’s father reported her missing. She had not arrived at school, and her phone was turned off. After a search, she was found at another address, where she stated that she was in a relationship with the suspect. He initially claimed that she had lied about her age, but the statements revealed that he knew she was underage. He also sent her explicit photos and ignored her requests to stop.
The prosecutor emphasized in court that the suspect was responsible for protecting the girl, regardless of her cooperation. Psychological reports showed that the man has a low intelligence level, but was considered fully responsible. He admitted to having a sexually transmitted disease, but would not say how he had contracted it.
According to the judge, the fact that the girl was a minor remains decisive. The law prohibits sexual relations with young people under the age of 16. That is why the suspect was given a partially suspended prison sentence. In addition, he must adhere to strict conditions during his probation period.