Actor Thijs Römer at the court in Assen in July last year. Image Brunopress
“I realize that the events have had a great impact on the victims and that only one person is responsible here: myself,” Römer said in a statement, which his lawyer Bénédicte Ficq shared on he hopes the appeal will ‘bring peace to the lives of everyone involved.’
Last summer, Römer received a three-month prison sentence, two of which were conditional. The court found him guilty of abusing three girls aged 14 and 15. Between 2015 and 2017, according to the court, he took ‘continuous abuse’ of the fact that the girls ‘looked up to him or were even in love with him’. Römer encouraged his victims to send him nude photos. He in turn would have been guilty of that too.
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Thom Canters is a general reporter for De Volkskrant.
After the verdict, Römer said he would appeal because he believed he did not recognize himself in the image that emerged from the verdict. The Public Prosecution Service also stated that it would appeal. Although the sentence was higher than demanded, the Public Prosecution Service did not agree with the acquittal for sending nude photos to the victims.
Because Römer himself has now decided not to appeal, the Public Prosecution Service has also decided to adhere to the original ruling. “The Public Prosecution Service no longer considers it appropriate to continue the case solely on the basis of the acquittal of sending images,” says a spokesperson.
This means that Römer will now have to spend a month in jail. In addition, he will receive a maximum community service of 240 hours and must undergo treatment at a mental health institution.
Römer’s three victims reacted ‘relieved’ to Römer’s decision. “We didn’t see it coming,” their lawyer Maartje Schaap said. Nena, one of the victims, says on her own Instagram channel: ‘For every other victim of anything: stand up for yourself! It’s worth it!’
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2024-03-01 18:31:41
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