Breskens man gets four years for rape despite court finding victim’s account credible

A 37-year-old man from Breskens was sentenced by a Middelburg court on Friday to four years in prison, one of which is suspended, for raping his girlfriend. Prosecutors had recommended a nine-year sentence, but the court rejected some of the allegations, resulting in a substantially shorter prison term.

Kevin de N. was accused of sexually assaulting his girlfriend on seven occasions between 2021 and 2023. However, the court said there was not enough evidence to establish guilt for most of the allegations.

The defendant was in a relationship with the woman, who was 17 when they began dating. De N. was 15 years older. Prosecutors alleged that he arranged for her to have sex with others, while he denied ever forcing her to have sex with him or anyone else.

De N. was also accused of arranging for five of his friends to rape the woman. Two were never prosecuted, while the other three were acquitted on Friday after the court found there was insufficient evidence against them.

The court stated in its rulings that it has no doubts about the victim’s statements. “The complainant gave consistent and detailed accounts of the nature of the sexual acts and the circumstances in which they took place,” the court said. However, there was insufficient additional evidence to support her statements.

Speaking in court two weeks ago, the woman said she remains fearful of encountering the men and feels uneasy around unfamiliar men. “What happened to me will always stay with me. It is something I will never completely be able to leave behind.”