The first aid teacher chatted with the girl, but was exposed as a pedophile. — © Pexels
Koksijde/Laarne –
A 33-year-old first aid teacher from Laarne in East Flanders has been sentenced to three years in prison – two of which are suspended – for encouraging an underage girl at a school in Koksijde to send nude images of herself. He sent the girl an image of his genitals himself, but was exposed by fellow students.
The 33-year-old LR was employed as a teacher at EHBO Vlaanderen and traveled to various schools to give first aid lessons. This is how he also ended up in a school in Koksijde on October 11, 2022. Because he was going to teach there for two days, he also stayed overnight.
During one of the lessons he met a 15-year-old girl. During that evening he chatted with her for several hours, telling her that he had a passion for photography and had his own studio. However, he soon steered the conversation in a certain direction and also asked for photos of the girl.
Unmasked by fellow students
“In order to persuade her to send photos of her face, he first sent several photos of girls of whom he had already taken a photo shoot,” the judge ruled. “Then she sent a photo of her face. Then he quickly started asking questions about relationships and sex in the chat conversation. The girl felt very uncomfortable with the situation and informed her fellow students.”
One of the students took over the chat and sent LR a photo of his nipple. He then responded to the student’s question with a photo of his genitals. LR was then exposed by the students when they sent him a video of everyone present who had followed the conversation. LR then took its Instagram page offline.
187,000 nude photos
The director of the school in Koksijde informed the police and EHBO Vlaanderen, who dismissed LR for urgent reasons. The photo studio in the first aid classrooms was searched and various sex paraphernalia such as dildos, a whip and handcuffs were found in a bag. The police then also examined his laptop. No fewer than 187,000 images of sexual abuse of often very young children were found. It often involved images of BDSM. Moreover, the man appeared to be specifically searching for such images on the dark web.
“I view the images every few days, but have never made or distributed them myself,” LR explained afterwards. “I have a problem and would like to get help, but I am too ashamed.”
Immediate arrest
The now ex-teacher did not show up for his trial and the victim also did not file a civil suit. The judge gave him three years in prison, two of which were suspended with conditions. He must also pay a fine of 8,000 euros. In addition, the man is deprived of his civil rights for five years and is no longer allowed to exercise authority over minors for twenty years.
“Furthermore, I order the immediate arrest of the man. Given the absence, the fact that these were very deliberate actions with minors and the fact that the defendant did not take any initiative to work on his problems, which poses a risk of recidivism.”