Dutch Volleyball player who raped 12-year-old British girl qualifies for Paris Olympics

He only got 12 months?!

He is a sick individual.

hmmmm Why Dutch teenager Noa's tragic death was misunderstood (bbc.com) They say it wasn't euthanasia which is technically true. But she was allowed to just die.

This annoys me so much.
If you are in a country, you are subject to the laws of that country. If I travel on the Dutch trams without a ticket and get fined, I can't argue that the fine should be less because I'm British and the fine in London is less.

The Dutch (not all but a significant proportion) bitch and moan about foreigners not following Dutch culture, or traditions. (I mean, they do it a LOT.) But then simultaneously, the Dutch authorities and media genuinely believe its unreasonable to describe Van de Velde as a child rapist just because he was convicted as a rapist according to the laws of the country in which he raped a child. And went out of their way to undermine the UK judges decision. And then were really really smug about the fact they had done so (because Dutch system is more civilised). And then keep saying he served his time when the whole point is he didn't because of the Dutch authorities actions.

Sorry, I know it sounds like I hate the Dutch. I don't, I live in the Netherlands and I get on well with most people as individuals but this case has pissed me of so much. Because most people can't see the hypocrisy.

This entire story is awful. Look at this article from 2017. He has no remorse and is massively arrogant.

www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-39292039.amp

There is currently a Change.org petition calling for his disqualification.
Please sign here
https://www.change.org/p/disqualify-convicted-child-rapist-steven-van-de-velde-from-the-olympics

Words fail me as to how a country would think this is a person to be celebrated / looked up to as a role model for aspiring young athletes!

Tied to a large lump of concrete!

Really?! I’m gobsmacked by your reply!

I hope the team and public have a say in this! He should be hanging his head in shame and keeping a low profile.

So if the Olympics were in USA I assume he wouldn't be able to secure a visa. I am sure the Olympic council could adopt an agreed list of criminal convictions that void entry.

Very disappointed to see a country in Europe allow a paedophile to represent them.

Next thing it will be Oscar Pistorius is back running for South Africa.

It's disgusting and shouldn't be allowed.

It's fucking horrific

Girls/women don't matter

Well I for one am not going to shut up about it.

i very much hope that the british media will not be covering his games out of respect for the victim. Although when it comes to sport, it seems that being likely to win is more important than being a decent law abiding person.

I'm angry that multiple rapes of a child under 13 only carries a sentence of 4 years and even angrier he only served 12 months. I think sentences for rape and sexual abuse are too lenient and have been wondering for a while if it is a hangover of a male dominated legal system / society that does not recognise the seriousness and long-lasting effects.

I'm also angry that his victim now potentially may see him on TV / in the press / talked about and his achievements celebrated. I also think there's a safe guarding issue wrt any under 18 athletes as a PP said. I'm surprised the IOC has no rules about certain convictions or sentences. And I'm also surprised that his playing partner is ok with it.

Disgusting and truly indefensible decision on behalf of the Dutch and Olympic committees. He is a paedophile and a danger to young female contestants.

The poor child he raped. What a message to send.

The victim isn't Dutch, she's British!

He's presumably going to be housed in the Olympic Village - with fellow athletes, some of whom will be young teens.

Surely to fuck, at the very least the Olympic committee has a duty of care to not house children with fucking paedophiles?!

It's amazing what doesn't get deleted around here sometimes isn't it!

He should be launched into the middle of the fucking ocean and never thought of again.

@BrigadierEtienneGerard

He raped a British girl. Does that change your stupid opinion?

Aggressively defending a nonce.

What a great look.

If there was a men's UK volleyball team in the Olympics, they should refuse to play the Netherlands if he is selected. There is not though.

Having said that, there is a footballer who if the justice system in the UK functioned in a reasonable timescale probably would have faced sex offences charges in court.

He hasn’t served his time. He’s served a year. For repeatedly raping a child.

The problem is the Netherlands didn’t see what he did as rape. It didn’t meet their definition at the time as rape.

it will have been sex with a minor though which is a criminal offence but I don’t have any insight in to how severe they take that.

Hello Steven van de Velde or his mum!!

Prick!