A 19-year-old man from Puiflijk was sentenced to 18 months in prison, six months of them suspended, for the November robbery at City Jeweller in Almere and a serious assault in Nijmegen. He was also given three years’ probation. The court described the violence during the robbery as shocking and imposed a lower sentence than the 2.5 years, including six months suspended, sought by the prosecution, citing his reduced criminal responsibility, age and lack of a prior record.

Three masked youths entered the jeweller’s shop; one struck display cases with a hammer while the convicted man threatened the owner and his son with a firearm. The son restrained another suspect outside, where he was struck with a hammer before police detained that suspect. The owner and his son have PTSD, and a customer has psychological complaints. The convicted man and a co-suspect who was sentenced earlier must jointly pay €30,000 in non-material damages to the three victims.