Right, let’s dissect this tale of alleged debauchery and dodgy doings, shall we?
Venise Bar: Where the drinks are strong, the clientele’s questionable, and apparently, so is the owner. Edwin van der M., the alleged Casanova of Breda, found himself sentenced to six years in the slammer for something a little more serious than serving watered-down cocktails and dodgy shots. We’re talking about rape, folks. Not the metaphorical kind you get after a bad kebab, but the real deal.
Six years, eh? Sounds like someone’s about to learn the hard way that "friends with benefits" doesn’t always mean a "get out of jail free" card. And before you start thinking, "Well, he’s guilty until proven innocent," remember – this bloke’s faced accusations for years.
The saga started when the municipality of Breda started getting wind of some, shall we say, "extracurricular activities" happening at Venise Bar. You know, the kind involving more than just dancing on tables and impromptu karaoke sessions. Reports of sexual misconduct, drunken revelry, and closing time becoming more of a suggestion than a rule. Sounds like my kind of night out, actually… just kidding!
This Edwin character, though, he’s playing the "innocent-as-a-newborn-lamb" card. Saying he didn’t do it, blaming "someone else," even suggesting that paying a bloke for sex was just a friendly gesture. You wouldn’t get someone to leave a five-star review on Yelp with that kind reasoning, would you?
Now, here’s where things get a bit grim. One of the alleged victims, tragically, took his own life after everything went down. Imagine the mental turmoil, the pain, the feeling of being trapped. This isn’t some tabloid scandal; it’s real lives cruelly affected. His mother’s bravery in bravely speaking out should be commended. She’s fighting for justice for her son and for anyone else who might have been hurt.
And then there’s the other brave soul, who transitioned after the alleged assault. They’ve been struggling with eating disorders and hospitalization, haunted by what happened. It’s a testament to their strength that they’ve come forward to share their story.
Now, let’s talk about Edwin’s "defense." He claims that the door to his apartment above the bar was always open during Carnival, so it could’ve been someone else. Right, because everyone just wanders into a random bar owner’s flat for a spot of "fun." If that’s the best he’s got, maybe friends with benefits are truly a myth after all.
The bloke’s even whimpering about the impact on his bar and how he now suffers from gasp panic attacks! Oh the irony. His reputation is in tatters? Well, boo-bloody-hoo! Try living with the emotional scars, the fear, the sense of violation. That’s a real tragedy, mate.
The prosecutor’s not playing around, demanding an eight-year ban on Edwin ever owning a bar again. Seems like a sensible move. After all, we don’t want our gay bars turning into dens of iniquity, do we? ‘
The Venice Bar saga, folks, is a reminder that behind the glitter and the glam, sometimes there’s a dark underbelly. Let’s hope justice is served for the victims, and that Edwin finally faces the consequences of his alleged actions.
The owner of the Breda gay bar Venise, Edwin van der M. (53), was sentenced on Wednesday to six years in prison for raping two young men. Edwin, who took over the well-established establishment on Halstraat in 2012, has faced persistent controversy for years. The municipality has been actively pursuing the closure of his bar following numerous complaints detailing sexual misconduct, public intoxication, and violations of closing hour regulations.
During the court proceedings, Edwin vehemently denied the allegations against him. He insisted that he did not rape the two victims in his residence above the bar during Carnival 2019, claiming that the perpetrator must be someone else. He also denied raping a man with whom he had a long-term sexual relationship, characterizing their connection as “perfectly normal.”
However, the judges and the public prosecutor questioned Edwin extensively, particularly regarding his financial transactions with one of the victims. Edwin defended himself by explaining that the payment was intended to assist the young man, who was struggling financially, and not for sexual services.
Tragically, one of the victims, a young man who had a sexual relationship with Edwin between 2012 and 2019, took his own life in 2020. In his writings from a South African rehab clinic, he detailed his harrowing experiences with Edwin. His mother, after reading his heartbreaking account, filed a report stating that her son was tormented by recurring memories of the rapes.
The remaining victim, now a young woman, revealed the profound and lasting trauma she endured as a result of being raped by Edwin at a crowded bar during Carnival. She described being dragged upstairs and forced to suffer through multiple sexual assaults, an ordeal that has left her grappling with an eating disorder and requiring psychiatric hospitalization. Despite the significant impact this event has had on her life,
she expressed self-blame for delaying her police report, believing that it may have prevented the other young man’s death.
Edwin vehemently denied any involvement in this specific rape, claiming that the door leading upstairs was open during Carnival for people to change clothes. He argued that the clothing description provided by the victim did not match what he was wearing.
The unbearable grief of losing her son has fueled the deceased man’s mother’s unwavering resolve to see Edwin held accountable. She advocated for the permanent closure of Venise Bar, hoping to prevent future victimization and encouraging others to come forward.
The municipality shares the desire to shut down the bar, citing Edwin’s history of disruptive behavior. However, they are awaiting the final verdict in this double rape case before making a definitive decision.
In addition to the prison sentence, the public prosecutor requested an eight-year professional ban, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable young people seeking a safe space in the LGBTQ+ community. Venice Bar, according to the prosecutor, should be a place of acceptance and support, but Edwin abused his position as owner for
personal gain.
Edwin expressed shock at the severity of the demands against him. He recounted the devastating effect the accusations have had on his life, stating he suffers from panic attacks and requires medication. He fears a professional ban would obliterate his livelihood and destroy his reputation beyond repair. Edwin lamented the impact on his business, which has seen a significant decline in patrons since his arrest.
The verdict in this complex case is anticipated on December 11th.
How might the case of Edwin van der M. influence legislation or regulations regarding bar owner licensing and accountability?
## Interview with Legal Analyst about the Venise Bar Case
**(Interviewer)**: Welcome to the show. Today we’re diving deep into the disturbing case of Edwin van der M., the owner of Venise Bar in Breda, who was recently sentenced to six years in prison for rape. Joining us is legal analyst, [Guest Name], to help us make sense of this complex story. [Guest Name], thanks for being here.
**(Guest Name)**: Thank you for having me. This is indeed a tragic case with far-reaching consequences.
**(Interviewer)**: Absolutely. The details are harrowing. We’ve heard accusations swirling around van der M. for years, ranging from sexual misconduct to running a bar where the closing time was more of a suggestion. How did this case finally come to a head?
**(Guest Name)**:
Well, it seems the mounting pressure from the municipality, coupled with the incredibly brave testimony from the victims, ultimately led to this conviction. The fact that one victim tragically took his own life, leaving behind a heartbreaking account of his experiences, undoubtedly played a significant role in galvanizing prosecution.
**(Interviewer)**: It’s truly heart-wrenching. Van der M. vehemently denied the charges, claiming the door to his apartment was always open and someone else could have committed these assaults. What’s your take on his defense?
**(Guest Name)**: I think it’s safe to say that defense fell flat. There were inconsistencies in his statements and the financial transactions with one of the victims painted a very different picture. The judge and prosecution clearly saw through this attempt to deflect responsibility.
**(Interviewer)**: And what about the prosecutor’s demand for an eight-year ban on van der M. ever owning a bar again?
**(Guest Name)**: This is a crucial aspect of the case. It sends a powerful message that establishments cannot be safe havens for predators.
**(Interviewer)**: This case has undoubtedly left a scar on the community. What can be done to ensure such tragedies don’t happen again in these types of environments?
**(Guest Name)**: This requires a multi-pronged approach. We need stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent bars from becoming breeding grounds for abuse. More importantly, we need to foster a culture where victims feel safe coming forward without fear of judgment or retaliation. This case is a harsh reminder of the long road ahead in achieving true justice and safety for all.
