Ex-mayor of Groningen fined €250 on appeal for masturbating in his car

A court of appeal on Wednesday convicted former Groningen mayor Koen Schuiling of indecent exposure (schennis van de eerbaarheid) for masturbating in his car in March 2024. It fined him 250 euros, the amount the Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie) had demanded.

The fine matches the one a single judge in Zwolle gave Schuiling last year. He appealed against that ruling. He has always denied the offence. He says he had severe lower abdominal pain and was rubbing his belly. He was not present when the court gave its decision.

The case began with a statement from the driver of a milk truck. He said he could see from his cab that the mayor was masturbating in his car, and that the two vehicles drove near each other for some time. The prosecution service and the court both found the statement reliable. The court said it was not convinced by Schuiling's medical explanation.

The court said: "Such behaviour is offensive and can frighten other road users."

Schuiling was mayor of Groningen between 2019 and 2024. He left before the end of his term.