Member of gang of pedo hunters involved in the murder of David Polfiet also does not receive an effective prison sentence on appeal (Beveren-Waas)

One member of the gang of pedo hunters who was later involved in the death of David Polfliet from Sinaai should not go to prison. WB (26) from Lokeren was involved in similar facts three days earlier in Kieldrecht.

The gang’s aim was to expose pedophiles. They lured their victims into a trap via a false profile on the dating app Grindr. On March 5, 2021, 42-year-old David Polfliet from Sinaai fell prey to the gang. He was lured to the Hof Ter Welle park in Beveren where he was stabbed. The man did not survive the stabbing.

Possession of child pornography

A few days earlier, the gang had lured a victim to a remote polder in Kieldrecht in a similar manner. There the man was held hostage, beaten, humiliated, threatened, had a fake gun to the head and had to hand over his car keys and bank cards. “His car was also searched and a video of all this was posted on social media,” said the attorney general, who believed that one member of the gang, WB (26) from Lokeren, had been punished too lightly. He was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence and a further six months suspended for possession of child pornography. On appeal, the attorney general asked for 50 months in prison for everything combined.

READ ALSO. A few days before the murder of David Polfliet (42), pedo hunters lured another victim into a trap: “This could just as easily have ended badly.”

But the court did not respond and confirmed the sentences with suspension. WB now has a steady job, no longer uses drugs and is receiving treatment. The man also admitted that he was sorry. The court took this into account and therefore decided not to impose an effective prison sentence. WS’s minor brother and a second minor were also involved in the robbery of the man in Kieldrecht. They will know their punishment for that next month. Afterwards, the last two will also have to answer before the court of assizes for the death of David Polfliet in Beveren. WB was not there.