Tilburg escort agency granted license
despite human trafficking conviction
The municipality of Tilburg has issued a permit to Nirvana, a controversial escort agency whose founder was convicted in Belgium for human trafficking and exploitation, according to an investigation by Pointer.
The founder, Margretha van de Laar, received a four-year prison sentence, two years of which were suspended, but remains at large. Her daughter, the current owner of Nirvana, was also convicted in Belgium for forgery in the same case. The agency, which operates under scrutiny, has allegedly continued activities involving threats and extortion, as revealed in Pointer’s findings.
Licensing amid controversy
In March, Tilburg granted Nirvana a license, despite its contentious history. A spokesperson for the municipality explained that no grounds for refusal were identified during the application review. Critics, however, argue that the company appears to have bypassed standard checks. “The dossier is under attention,” the spokesperson added, declining to comment on potential repercussions.
André van Dorst, a representative of the industry’s advocacy group, expressed astonishment, stating that owners with criminal records typically fail the screening process mandated by the Wet Bibob law, which examines the integrity of business operators.
Local political party ONS Tilburg has since questioned the city council about the decision. The party has demanded clarity on the steps taken during the license approval process and whether the permit will be reevaluated.
Persistent allegations
Nirvana’s operations have been fraught with allegations of fraudulent activities. Pointer’s investigation uncovered over 100 fake profiles used on escort websites, where clients often found themselves matched with different individuals. Customers who refused to pay were reportedly threatened with public exposure to their families, neighbors, and friends.
Van de Laar, who claimed in 2023 to have severed ties with the company, remains linked to its operations. Pointer revealed that threats and extortion involving clients persisted into 2024, despite her prior convictions in both Belgium and the Netherlands for offenses including tax fraud.
While there is no indication of children being involved here, I can't imagine either of these two women worrying very much about an escort being underage.
Donny M. found guilty of murder, abduction
& sexual assault of 9-year old Gino
The judge in the Maastrict courtroom ordered that M. undergo mandatory psychiatric treatment for the rest of his life, as well as monitoring and probation for life should he be released from incarceration. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) had demanded 28 years plus institutionalized psychiatric treatment (TBS) against the man.
Gino disappeared from a playground in Kerkrade near his sister’s home on June 1, 2022. Gino was visiting his sister because his mother was ill. The boy’s disappearance triggered an Amber Alert and the police and volunteers from far and wide spent many hours combing the area for the boy.
M. was arrested three days later and told the police where to find Gino’s body, wrapped in garbage bags and dumped behind a burned-out house near M.’s home in Geleen. M. confessed two years ago, but the investigation took a long time because the man’s story did not always match the trace evidence.
During the trial, M. said that he spotted Gino while driving around Kerkrade that evening and knew immediately that he wanted to “do something” to the boy. He spent some time playing football with Gino at the playground and then offered to give the boy a ride home, but abducted him instead.
That matched what surveillance and doorbell camera footage from the area showed. The footage depicted M. following Gino by car and on foot for about 12 minutes and spending time playing football with and grooming the boy. Gino got in M.’s car and M. forced him to sit on the floor in front of the front passenger seat. The court considered the camera footage credible.
The court found it convincing that M. raped Gino. The autopsy showed evidence that sexual abuse occurred while the boy was still alive. The cause of Gino’s death was the deprivation of oxygen by both strangulation and smothering.
The court considered a murder conviction appropriate because M.’s behavior clearly showed a plan and intent, supported by the use of loud music to cover up the boy’s screams, and searches on his phone about how to smother an individual.
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