The prosecution sought tbs with conditions for Omar W., a 34-year-old man from Alkmaar accused of setting fire to his caravan on Mark Hoogland’s property in Dirkshorn in May 2025. The fire spread to Hoogland’s farm on the Middenweg, which burned out completely. W. said in court that he regretted what happened and that he had dropped a cigarette which apparently landed in the caravan’s skylight. He had previously said he deliberately set the caravan alight as a cry for help. The prosecution said he had a psychotic disorder and persistent addictions and considered him completely unaccountable. The requested measure could last up to nine years and includes conditions.

Hoogland described the loss of the farm, which had recently been rebuilt and had been in his family for three generations. He claimed more than €270,000 in damages, but the court said the claim was not substantiated. The prosecution therefore could not seek compensation in the criminal case, which was declared inadmissible; a civil case remains possible. The judge is due to rule on the sentence on 11 November.