23.3 C
Accra
Sunday, August 3, 2025
WorldAmanda Todd: Dutchman  jailed for lethal cyberstalking

Date:

Amanda Todd: Dutchman  jailed for lethal cyberstalking

A Dutchman was condemned to 13 years in prison for sexually extorting a teenage Canadian girl who later committed suicide.

Prosecutors in British Columbia said that Aydin Coban, 44, will serve his sentence in the Netherlands.

In August, he was found guilty of child luring, child pornography, extortion, and harassment of Amanda Todd.

Amanda, who was 15 at the time, produced a video in 2012 documenting her ordeal with the cyber-stalker.

Warning: This article contains details that some readers may find upsetting.

The YouTube video was watched millions of times and sparked a national debate about online bullying.

Coban was sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Dutch court in 2017 for blackmailing and harassing dozens of young women on the internet, some as far away as Britain, Canada, and the United States.

He was later extradited to Canada where he faced additional charges. He was not, however, charged with Amanda’s death.

The 13-year sentence handed down on Friday will begin after the term imposed by the Dutch court has expired, said the British Columbia Prosecution Service.

Coban showed no remorse in court in New Westminster as he learned his fate.

Amanda killed herself five weeks after uploading her widely watched YouTube video, and after explicit photos of her were leaked online.

Coban harassed the girl for nearly three years online using 22 separate fake social media accounts.

He sent messages to her between 2009, starting when she was 13 and 2012. In some, he threatened to send explicit images of her to her friends, family, and school staff if she didn’t agree to give him a webcam “show”.

Coban hid his IP address, so police were not able to trace the messages back to him at the time.

During Coban’s sentencing hearing this week, prosecutors argued for a 12-year prison term to protect other young people from his “repugnant” abuse. They said they believed Coban was at high risk of offending again.

Coban’s defence lawyers had pushed for a two-year sentence, arguing a longer punishment would be “disproportionate” to the crimes he committed.

British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Martha Devlin read the sentence in court on Friday.

She said that although Coban’s behaviour was not the “dominating factor” in the girl’s suicide, she did find that the “profound harm” he caused her aggravated mental health and substance abuse issues, according to CBC News.

“Ruining Amanda’s life was Mr Coban’s expressly stated goal and was, sadly, one that he achieved,” she said.

His sentencing hearing in Canada began shortly after the 10th anniversary of Amanda’s death. Her mother, Carol, has since become an outspoken advocate against online bullying and sex extortion.

“We need to talk about it,” she said. “We need to make sure there is justice for Amanda.”

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

“Don’t make me and Stonebwoy fight ooo”- Samini warn netizens

Veteran dancehall musician, Samini has warned netizens to resist...

Kanye West’s Heil Hitler song bans him from entering Australia

US rapper Kanye West has been banned from entering...

Agradaa describes moment shared with President Mahama heavenly – Agradaa

Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Agradaa, shared a...

Dada Joe Remix extradited to face romance scam charges in USA

Ghana’s nightlife mogul and alleged crypto kingpin, Nana Kojo...

Govt launches 24-Hour Economy policy today

The government's flagship, 24-Hour Economy Policy, will be launched...

GRA sets July 16 for GHS1 fuel levy implementation

The implementation of the new GHS1 Energy Sector Shortfall...

Related stories

US travel ban against Togo, Libya, others takes effect today

Effective today, Monday, June 9, nationals of twelve countries...

Pakistan: Police in search of over 200 inmates following earth tremor

Over 200 inmates are currently on the run after...

Pope Leo XIV shares canonical acceptance

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has officially accepted his election...

Profile of the new Pope – Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost

"Peace be with all of you!" - the first...

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost named as the 267th Pope, takes the name Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the...

Black smoke signals end of first day of conclave to elect new pope

A thick column of black smoke rising from the...

Siemens exec and his family involved in fatal Hudson helicopter crash

Tragedy struck New York City on Thursday when a...