Two men have been jailed for five and six months, three suspended, for having sex with a 16-year-old girl at a hotel in Valkenburg last year. The public prosecution department had called for sentences of up to one year.

The girl disappeared from her home in October last year and was found by police having sex with a man in a motel in December.

Ten other men also charged with having sex with the girl were given community service sentences rating from 180 to 240 hours.

The court ruled that sex had taken place between the girl and the men in all 12 cases but that they were not aware she was a minor, which was a mitigating circumstance.

The men who were given jail sentences were more heavily punished because of their roles in the community, the court said. For example, the man jailed for six months is a team leader in a youth care institution.

Pimp

Earlier this month, the girl’s 21-year-old pimp was jailed for two years. Armin A was found guilty of trafficking the girl by manipulating her and making her dependent upon him. He also removed her from her parent’s supervision, the court said in a statement.

A rented the rooms at two Valkenburg hotels where the girl operated and made appointments with clients. The court said A had failed to show remorse or to realise what an impact his actions had on the girl and he was also ordered to pay her €2,500 compensation.

A further 17 men are still due to appear in court in connection with the case.