Top news

Teenage suspects in stabbing case 'should be tried as adults'

The family of a 15-year-old girl who was fatally stabbed in the street in Arnhem say her attackers should be tried as adults.

The main suspect for the stabbing on Stadhoudersstraat last Tuesday is a 14-year-old boy, who is believed to have acted under the influence of a male youth from Rotterdam aged 17.

A 16-year-old girl from Arnhem, said to be among the victim’s closest friends, has also been arrested. She is understood to have been in a relationship with the older of the two boys.

The victim died from her wounds in hospital five days after being attacked. Her father, who was also stabbed, has since been released after treatment.

A spokeswoman for the family said they feared the three suspects would be given lenient sentences because of their age.

“Anyone who carries out that kind of action in cold blood is not a child,” she said during a silent vigil for the dead girl.

If the suspects were released from prison as adults after a few years, they would be “a danger to every child, every day,” the spokeswoman added.

“There is a high chance that they will do something like this again. They [the victim’s family] would not wish the pain they are suffering on any other family.”

The older boy is accused of conspiracy to murder and is being detained on remand with the 14-year-old from Capelle aan de IJssel.

Police say it is not clear what role the 16-year-old girl played in the attack.

Source: De Pers: Familie wil volwassenenrecht voor verdachten

Photo by mystic_mabel