The Court handed down sentences for the men Z.T., J.A., D.P., and A.F., who were accused of committing three armed robberies on August 3, 2025, and threatening people with weapons.
It should be noted that for three of the four accused, the Court did not follow the punishment requested by the Public Prosecutor. The Court reduced the sentences because there were aspects of the cases in which the accused were declared not guilty.
Only Z.T. and J.A. appeared in Court. The other two, D.P. and A.F., refused to appear to hear their sentences and remained in police custody.
Prosecutor’s Request
In January 2026, the case was reviewed, during which the Public Prosecutor requested the following sentences:
- A.: 4 years in prison, of which 6 months conditional
- P.: 3 years in prison, of which 6 months conditional plus 3 years probation
- T.: 3 years in prison
- F.: 12 months in prison
The Prosecutor also requested that the conditional sentences previously pending for most of the accused be applied, since these offenses were committed while they were still under probation.
Court Ruling
The Court noted that J.A. admitted to forcibly removing chains from victims at Coconuts, Calibra, and Lekker Bar. The defense lawyer argued that J.A. acted in self-defense, but the Court rejected this, stating that J.A.’s actions were not self-defense but rather acts of revenge. The Court found J.A. to be the aggressor.
The Court reduced J.A.’s sentence, considering that he was part of a group that committed serious crimes—first at Coconuts, then at Calibra and Lekker Bar—threatening people with weapons and creating insecurity in public places. According to the law, forcibly taking a chain carries a 2-year sentence, and possession of a firearm in a vehicle carries 12 months. The Court noted that J.A. is an adult and this is his first time in the justice system. The Court also took into account a report from Probation Services recommending guidance for J.A.
Sentence for J.A.: 36 months in prison, of which 8 months are conditional, with 3 years probation under Probation Services supervision.
Threats with a Weapon
For Z.T., the Court noted that he was involved in fights and threatened people with a weapon at Coconuts and Lekker Bar. Z.T. was declared not guilty of the robbery at Calibra and not guilty of threatening with a weapon at Lekker Bar due to insufficient evidence. However, the Court found Z.T. guilty of threatening at Coconuts, public violence at Calibra, threatening with a weapon at Lekker Bar, and possession of a firearm with others.
The Court highlighted that the police recovered a firearm when the group attempted to flee in a car. Z.T. also assaulted a sleeping police officer. The Court rejected the defense’s self-defense argument.
Considering that Z.T. had already been sentenced in the Netherlands in November 2025 to 6 years for attempted murder, the Court emphasized his continued responsibility.
Sentence for Z.T.: 2 years in prison.
Assault
For D.P., the Court declared him not guilty of robbery at Calibra and Lekker Bar but guilty of violence at Calibra and possession of a firearm with the group. The Court rejected the self-defense claim. D.P. had previously been released conditionally for weapon abuse, but he reoffended. Probation Services recommended guidance for D.P.
Sentence for D.P.: 24 months in prison, of which 6 months are conditional, with 3 years probation.
For A.F., the Court declared him not guilty of robbery at Calibra and Lekker Bar but guilty of violence at Calibra, during which he assaulted a police officer, and of threatening someone. The Court rejected the defense’s self-defense argument, noting that the victim had been knocked to the ground and A.F. kicked him. Considering A.F.’s prior drug sentence and that these offenses occurred while he was on probation, the Court confirmed the Prosecutor’s request.
Sentence for A.F.: 12 months in prison.
Conditional Sentences
All these sentences take into account the conditional sentences previously pending for three of the accused, which were imposed due to their prior offenses involving violence and armed threats. The conditional sentences are now applied in addition to the new sentences.