Three teenage boys, suspected of involvement in the death of an amateur football linesman last year, have been remanded in custody for a further 30 days.

The boys’ lawyer had argued for their release, saying they should be able to attend school and that ‘it is damaging to keep youngsters locked up for so long’.

The court ruled the boys should remain in a juvenile detention centre because of the evidence against them and the serious charges – attempted manslaughter – which they face.

The linesman, Richard Nieuwenhuizen, died in December after being attacked by a group of youth team players after a match.

Minors

RTL news journalist Rik Konijnenbelt said the Netherlands is far tougher than other European countries when it comes to locking up minors. ‘The rules are as tough as for adults, even though juveniles face less severe sentences.’

Criminal law professor Jolande Uiot Beijerse told RTL that judges can order youngsters to be released from custody with a curfew and other restrictions.

Konijnenbelt said it is unclear why judges have chosen not to do this in the case of these three suspects.