By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
A 73-year-old Dutch citizen, found guilty on ten charges related to child pornography, sexual communication with minors, indecent acts involving children, and child abuse, has been sentenced to ten years in prison and ordered to pay a total of Ksh. 3 million in fines.
In addition to the prison sentence and fines, the court mandated that he pay Ksh. 3 million in restitution to the victims, which takes priority over the fines.
The Milimani Children’s Court determined that Jan IN’T Veld, also known as Teacher Jan, Dad, and Mzungu, was guilty of six counts of child pornography, two counts of sexual communication with a child, one count of committing an indecent act with a child, and one count of child abuse.
The ODPP reported that the offences were committed between April 2022 and November 2023.
The court was informed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that Jan IN’T Veld deliberately shared obscene audiovisual materials with a 17-year-old minor, referred to as G.S, through WhatsApp, with the purpose of inciting the minor to participate in sexual activities.
“Evidence presented also showed that the accused received obscene images of two minors, identified as A.A, aged 10, and A.B, aged 7, through WhatsApp for his own sexual gratification. Additionally, Jan IN’T Veld was found guilty of engaging in sexually explicit communication with G.S., then aged 16, in which he encouraged the minor to communicate in a sexual manner,” the ODPP said on X.
The court additionally determined that the defendant unlawfully and indecently made contact with the private parts of the same minor, thereby committing sexual abuse on the same bed where the mother, with whom he was in a relationship with, also lay.
“As the court of first instance, having heard this matter from the onset, and having observed the demeanour of the accused person and all witnesses with particular emphasis on PW3, who testified from a place of deep hurt this court finds that the prosecution adduced overwhelming evidence in support of all 10 counts. Each charge has been proved both individually and collectively beyond reasonable doubt.” ruled Hon. Dr. Alice Macharia.
The court additionally observed that the defendant actively urged PW3 to participate in sexual activities with minors and directed him to capture nude photographs and videos during these encounters, which were subsequently transmitted to the defendant.
The prosecution team, consisting of Counsel Linda Ndambiri and Victor Preston Owuor, called upon nine witnesses to substantiate the case. Upon the conclusion of his prison sentence, the court also mandated the deportation of Jan IN’T Veld.