Six teenagers and a 51-year-old man have been jailed for their role in the death of a football linesman who was kicked by a mob after a youth game in Almere last December.

The court in Lelystad ruled ‘tough sentences’ were merited for all the defendents because of the nature of the crime. Only three of the youths were in court to hear the sentences.

El-Hasan D, 51, was jailed for six years while his son Yassine, 16, was given 12 months in juvenile detention, two suspended.

The other suspects, aged 16, 17 and 18, were given 24-month sentences, six suspended, for their parts in the attack. The youngest defendent, Daveryon B, 15, was given 30 days in youth custody, 17 days suspended. He was only guilty of attacking the keeper, the court found.

Appeal

Lawyers for El-Hasan and some of the youths have already said they will appeal against the sentences.

Richard Nieuwenhuizen died in hospital the day after being attacked by a group of youths after a B youth match between Almere club Buitenboys and Amsterdam side Nieuwe Sloten.

The sentences were in line with the public prosecution department’s demands. The court said Nieuwenhuizen died as a direct result of the attack and although the youths may not have intended to kill him, they should have realised there was a risk this would happen.

The attack on Nieuwehuizen forced the Dutch football association KNVB to implement new measures, including a hotline, to try to stop off-the-pitch violence.

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