A court in Haarlem is set to deliver its verdict on Tuesday 24 November in the case of a violent assault that left a gay man, Trevor, unconscious in the city centre on the night of 31 July to 1 August 2025. The case, which sparked a large protest against anti-LGBTIQ+ violence, changed after the Public Prosecution Service dropped the discriminatory motive from the charges.
The Dusty Foundation is calling for the community to gather in solidarity at the court ahead of the verdict.
The Attack and the Aftermath
On the night of 31 July to 1 August 2025, Trevor, 30, was punched and kicked unconscious on the Smedestraat in Haarlem. Court reporting stated he was beaten even after he had lost consciousness. He was hospitalised with a broken jaw, broken cheekbone, and a broken eye socket, and still has metal plates and screws in his face.
Initial reports in August 2025 indicated that the attack happened after Trevor told a passer-by he was attracted to men. The case was therefore investigated as suspected anti-gay violence.
The incident deeply affected the local community. On the evening of Monday 11 August 2025, around 300 people demonstrated in Haarlem. Organiser Bas Kortekaas of the Dusty Foundation said it was at least the third serious assault in the city linked to sexual orientation in a year and a half, stating, "This has to stop now" ("Het moet nu afgelopen zijn"). Haarlem's mayor, Jos Wienen, called the attack "unacceptable" ("Het is onaanvaardbaar") and noted that Trevor had come from Uganda to find safety.
The Suspect and the Trial
Following the publication of camera footage, a then 19-year-old man from Haarlem turned himself in. The suspect, 20, was held in pre-trial detention from 20 August 2025 until 25 November 2025, when the court suspended it because of his young age and because he was finishing his education, on condition of mandatory trauma therapy. He admitted to the assault but said he could not remember it, calling his actions "shameful" ("beschamend"). He denies that discrimination was a motive.
According to the suspect and his lawyer, Brigitte Kochheim-Bossink, he has a PTSD diagnosis from a robbery in January 2024 in which he was held by the neck until he lost consciousness. Court reporting states that security footage shows him trying to walk away twice. His account is that he panicked ("Ik raakte in paniek") after Trevor gave him two light taps on the neck, and that he had twice told Trevor to leave. His lawyer argues for self-defence or excessive self-defence (noodweerexces) and asks that no punishment follow.
A Shift in the Legal Case
At a hearing at the Haarlem court, reported by NH Nieuws on Tuesday 10 November 2026, the Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie, OM) dropped the discriminatory motive from the original charge of attempted manslaughter. The prosecution stated that it cannot prove that Trevor was attacked because of his sexual orientation. The prosecutor also said that light touches on the neck do not justify breaking someone's bones. A prison sentence of 2.5 years was demanded, taking the suspect's trauma into account.
Trevor and his lawyer were not quoted in the court reporting.
Community Call for Solidarity
The prosecution's decision means it does not believe a discriminatory motive can be proven in court. The court has not yet ruled. The Dusty Foundation believes that this is indeed a case of anti-gay violence and has issued a call for people to show their support for Trevor.
In their public call, the foundation stated:
"The assault on Trevor has deeply affected Haarlem and the queer community. From the Dusty Foundation, we want to show that Trevor is not alone. This is not just about Trevor. This is about everyone who wants to be themselves, without fear... We hope for a large turnout. Together we are stronger."
The foundation invites everyone to gather at the Haarlem court (Rechtbank Noord-Holland) on Tuesday 24 November at 11:30. The court's verdict is expected to be delivered around 12:45.
