AMSTERDAM — A Dutch court has imposed sentences of up to 120 days in jail, of which 82 were suspended, on three fishermen accused of the so-called banana rape of a 15-year-old boy working on board their ship.

Alkmaar court also ordered the defendants on Monday to serve community work orders of up to 80 hours. The victim also received compensation of EUR 1,700, news service nu.nl reported.

The prosecution demanded two weeks ago that the four defendants be sentenced to jail terms of up to 20 months. A ruling against the fourth suspect has not yet been handed down.

Three suspects are from the northern city of Groningen and the other suspect is form the port city Den Helder. The victim was previously described to be in his 20s.

The so-called “banana boat affair” revolved around the rape of a 15-year-old youth on board a fishing boat last year. The crime and other “initiations” were captured on videotape. The boy’s mother lodged a police report after seeing the video.

Three other suspects were previously sentenced in October 2003 to community work orders.

[Copyright Expatica News 2004]

Subject: Dutch news