The trial of Jacobus van Nierop, 51 – also known as the ‘horror dentist’ – began yesterday in a court in Nevers in central France, not far from Chateau-Chinon, the rural area where he worked starting in 2008.
In his time there more than 100 patients came away from his clinic with such injuries as broken jaws, recurrent abscesses and septicaemia.
Authorities began to query his accounting in 2011, around the same time patients joined forces, ultimately setting up a victim’s group.
Among their more gruesome injuries: one patient had eight teeth pulled out in one visit, while an 80-year-old patient who had one tooth removed said he was left with “pieces of flesh hanging everywhere” after his visit.
Following his June 2013 arrest, the dentist – who was free pending trial -- left Europe for Canada in December of 2013 where he was ultimately cornered by authorities in a small New Brunswick town and arrested under an international warrant in September 2014.
The dentist attempted to avoid extradition by claiming 'psychological problems' ranging from gender identity issues to suicidal tendencies.
Van Nierop is charged with aggravated assault and fraud over claims that he tried to rip off patients and insurance companies. Penalties, if he is found guilty, could run as high as 10 years imprisonment, and fines of more than $CA400,000.
