A 20-year-old man from Assen received a year and a half long sentence for assaulting another man at the student rowing association Gyas in October.
According to RTV Noord, the sentence includes six months’ probation. The court found the defendant guilty of the charge of attempted manslaughter.
The Assen man had just joined the student association last fall and invited a friend to come with him to the Gyas club in the city of Groningen. Over the course of the evening, the two men got into a fight: the defendant took a run at his friend and punched him. The victim fell to the ground, but the defendant continued beating him.
The victim wound up in the hospital with a fractured skull and brain damage. The defendant was drunk on 20 beers and claimed during the trial that he could not recall the events of the evening. He was detained and was held in remand for three months.
The lawyers in the case argued that the defendant’s conduct was so violent that he nearly killed his friend. Multiple experts consulted in the case stated that the defendant was suffering from personal issues, but said that he was still of sound mind and ought to be held accountable for his actions.
In addition to the 18-month sentence, the defendant must follow a treatment programme and behavioural interventions. The victim is calling for 2,500 euros in compensation for his injuries, which he can request from the civil court.
