DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

31 May 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Dutch police officer accused of blackmailing gay men, faces jail

June 16, 2017
Photo: Depositphotos.com

A police officer from Wijk bij Duurstede appeared in court in Utrecht on Friday accused of blackmailing gay men whose cars had been spotted close to a popular cruising zone.

The man is accused of sending 37 letters to the owners of cars spotted parked close to the zones on the A1 and A27. He threatened his victims with disclosure unless they paid up €1,000, local broadcaster RTV Utrecht said.

The suspect is said to have used a colleague’s computer to find out about the car owners in the police registration system. He is known to have checked out information about 80 cars.

The investigation started in May 2015 when the police noticed a surge in complaints from men who said they were being blackmailed after visiting a cruising zone. A further 20 men responded to an appeal for other victims to come forward.

Just one victim was in court on Friday, which, the public prosecutor said, highlighted the sensitivity of the case.

The police officer who was arrested in March 2016 and suspended from his job has said he is sorry for his actions and that he failed to oversee the consequences. The former officer faces two years in jail, six months suspended.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Crime Society
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Dutch government websites still reliant on US cloud services
Two-thirds of Dutch businesses face staff shortages
Artist Bas Kosters on the serious business of creating joy
Warm end to May, slightly cooler start to meteorological summer
From rooftops to refugee artists: 11 great things to do in June
NewsHomeEconomyArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now