A judge in Chennai, India has sentenced a Dutchman to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for sex crimes and transmitting child pornography. The court found Wilhelmus Weijdeveld (56) guilty of kidnapping children, committing "unnatural sex acts" with them and posting pornographic photographs of them on the internet.

Weijdeveld was arrested in November 2009. Police initially suspected him only of transmitting pornography, but during their investigation they found evidence of sexual abuse.

When interrogated by police, Weijdeveld confessed to some of the charges.

The conviction of Wilhelmus Weijdeveld marks the first time an Indian court has successfully prosecuted a case based on the country’s amended Information Technology Act. The prosecutor handed over evidence including details of Weijdeveld’s internet traffic, made available by the suspect’s internet service provider.

In 2002 Weijdeveld was arrested by Indian police on suspicion of child molestation. He was charged with sexually abusing 40 children who were living at the Little Home orphanage he had opened in Chennai. He was released on bail and the case is still pending.

Weijdeveld emigrated from the Netherlands to India in 1980.

Several media in India and the Netherlands are calling the convict Wilhelmus Heum. Speaking to Radio Netherlands, the office of Deputy Police Commissioner Dr Sudhakar has said this is incorrect and has confirmed that his surname is Weijdeveld.

(rc/dd)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide