Youth camp leader prosecuted for sexual offenses: “I had started happily.” | Antwerp
Antwerp/MalleA 27-year-old man from Malle appeared in court on Monday for sexual offenses against five minors. He learns his descriptions as a monitor at youth camps or through karting. He was sentenced to four years in prison, of which two years with probation postponement, and a fine of 1,600 euros. The prosecution also demanded a 10-year ban on practicing a profession with minors.
The investigation had started in 2020, when the parents of a 15-year-old boy had a complaint. Their son had a summer camp for young people with ADHD in 2016 and had met the defendant there, who was working there as a monitor. He always wanted to cuddle and boy did he give him his ‘cuddly bear’. Kind of uncomfortable with that. A year and a half later, the defendant contacted him again. He had asked him to send a picture of his genitals, which the boy had not done. He had informed his parents and they had gone to the police.
During a search of the defendant’s home, laptop and mobile phone were seized. After the reading of three more stories in the picture. “My client came to know the defendant during a difficult period, after the divorce of his parents. They develop karting and the defendant lent a listening ear. His words made him happy that their son had someone to talk to. However, the defendant has grossly violated that trust,” said the lawyer for one of the cases.
The boy was turned on by himself and by the defendant. “He did not want that at all, but did so at the insistence of the defendant. They threatened to hurt themselves and need themselves in front of my client. He now feels ashamed and abused and has trouble trusting people.”
The order of the others was similar: the defendant first won their trust and incited them to act immorally. The twenty-something was interrogated and first minimized the facts. Then he partially admitted them. He was released under conditions and was no longer allowed to have contact with minors. Later it turned out that he had not yet tried to register for a summer camp.
After the investigation was done, the parents of a fifth victim in November 2021. Their son also got to know the defendant through a youth camp and karting. They were friends and the twenty-something would also have engaged in these sexual acts. However, the defendant denies this. He also investigated that the hugs with the boy with ADHD had a sexual intent. Most other facts have not been disputed.
“My client was still very immature at the time and had few friends his own age. He needed confirmation and sought it from those young people. He has earned some of the damage from the incomes. He has also sought help and is currently seeking treatment for his problems, which he would like to continue. We therefore ask to impose a sentence with a postponement of probation”, Master Sanne De Clerck.
“I am deeply sorry and ashamed of all the things that have happened,” said the defendant. He was so eager to start but had to start those studies to stop the first time. The young man was socially isolated, had no friends his age. Since he has been under electronic supervision for 9 months now, he has devoted himself to studying. For example, he has just started an online course “Mindfulness”.
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