Several youths caught on camera attacking a man in Eindhoven in January should be jailed for their crime, the public prosecution department told judges on Wednesday.

The trial of the four is taking place in Den Bosch, with all apologising to the court for their actions.

Main suspect Brent L should be jailed for two years, six months suspended, for attempting to kill the victim, prosecutors said.

L, now 18, was extremely emotional during the hearing, his lawyer Erik de Mare told reporters. A Belgian national, he was the subject of a lengthy extradition procedure.

Closed doors

Parts of the trial were held behind closed doors because three of the defendants are juveniles.

Eight youths were originally arrested in the wake of the attack, which was caught on security camera.

The 22-year-old victim was hit and kicked by several of the eight-strong group after they marched down the street on ‘a war footing’. He suffered severe concussion and injuries to his mouth and jaw.

The video was broadcast on a television crime show and the youths later identified by shockblog GeenStijl, leading to a major debate in the Dutch media about naming and shaming crime suspects.

Verdict

The case against four of the youths was later dropped.

Co-defendant Tom K, now 17, faces 12 months in jail, eight suspended. The third defendant, Brett S, faces eight months, four suspended. The case against the remaining suspect is still underway on Wednesday afternoon.

The court will give its verdicts in two weeks.