Fifteen years in prison for the three perpetrators who killed David Polfliet

K.B. (22), L.N. (21) and R.P. (22), the three men who in 2021 lured David Polfliet to a park in Beveren via Grindr and stabbed him several times, causing his death, have been sentenced to fifteen years in prison. The three defendants had to answer for their actions as so-called “paedophile hunters” before the Court of Assizes.

On 5 March 2021, the three young men, who were still minors at the time, lured 42-year-old David Polfliet to a park in Beveren. They did so through the dating app Grindr. During the investigation, the three admitted that they had been luring men to the park as so-called paedophile hunters in order to “teach them a lesson”.

In Polfliet’s case the situation escalated and a fight broke out, during which Polfliet received a stab wound to his leg that proved fatal. The entire altercation was filmed and no emergency services were called after the stabbing. The three young men eventually turned themselves in, spent several months in prison and were later referred to the Court of Assizes to answer for Polfliet’s death. The public prosecutor had requested prison sentences ranging from 23 to 25 years.

The jury and judges took into account the fact that the three defendants have managed to get their lives back on track since their release under conditions two and a half years ago. Other mitigating circumstances were also considered, such as difficult childhoods and their young age at the time of the events.

The verdict also restores the honour of David Polfliet. The ruling concluded with words from the jury addressed to the victim’s relatives. “We came to know David Polfliet as a pleasant and warm man. We thought about him during our deliberations,” the presiding judge said.

His family reacted with relief now that the three perpetrators have been convicted. “We are extremely happy that it is over,” David Polfliet’s brother and sister told VRT NWS.

The family says it is “satisfied” with the jury’s verdict. “We can accept it. For us, all three have been equally responsible from the start.”

What matters most to them is that David Polfliet’s name has been restored, after an image of him as a paedophile had been suggested at the beginning of the trial.