Suspect in Barendrecht sex case to Pieter Baan Center: ‘A lot of regret’

“For years I hid the worst part of me. I deeply regret what I did.” This is what the 45-year-old suspect in the Barendrecht sex case said this morning in the court in Rotterdam.

Mels van B. was present at the first preparatory hearing in the extensive sexual offense case. He remains in custody and will be observed at the Pieter Baan Center.

The investigation is still in progress. Only when this has been completed will the Public Prosecution Service issue a final indictment and the case will be dealt with substantively.

According to the public prosecutor, the number of victims is still around thirty. The abuse is said to have taken place in Van B.’s house in Barendrecht and at a campsite in Hoeven (North Brabant), where he had a seasonal pitch for his caravan.

The man was arrested in September, when he admitted that he had abused nineteen girls. Van B. came into the picture after a report was filed against him. He reported himself to the police.

Not much later, the Public Prosecution Service spoke of three more victims, bringing the number to 22. At the end of November, On behalf of the Family, part of Victim Support, reported that the organization was assisting 29 victims from 26 families in this sexual offense case.

Van B. was given the floor at the end of the preparatory session and was audibly emotional. “I am consciously present to take responsibility. I provide full disclosure and cooperate in everything,” he said. In his opinion, that is “the best thing he can do now for the victims and their loved ones.”

The suspect stated to the police that all his victims were girls and were in the final stages of primary school. These are girls from 9 to 12 years old. The abuse is said to have taken place over several years. The AD and the Telegraaf previously wrote that the suspect knew his victims through family, associations and acquaintances.

The trial continues on March 3.