The murder took place in Lot, part of the municipality of Beersel in Flemish Brabant. The three accused - Nourredine Cheikhni, Galip Kurum en Hassan Iasir - were fleeing from a crime scene in a stolen Volvo; when it broke down, they entered the home of Ismael Sacoor and demanded the keys to his van parked outside, then shot Sacoor three times.

As they emerged, the patrol van containing Van Nieuwenhuysen and her partner, Peter Van Stalle, 27, was investigating the abandoned Volvo. The men opened fire, killing Van Nieuwenhuysen instantly. After the shootings, the three men attempted to escape to Turkey and Morocco. The three denied the crimes, but DNA evidence placed them all at the scene.

The six-week long trial dealt not only with the killing of Van Nieuwenhuysen and the gunshot injuries to Van Stalle and Sacoor, but also with a long list of other offences. In all, the jury deliberated a set of 219 questions relating to the guilt of the three accused. After the reading of the verdict, the jury returned to deliberate with the judge on the sentences.

While the prosecutor had demanded life for all three, the jury found grounds to apply a lesser sentence. The jury considered their previous records, clear of grave offences, grounds for clemency. A sentence of 30 years allows them to be eligible for release after serving one- third of their sentence. The family of the victim were said to be disappointed at the sentences. One of the accused will appeal.

Pictured: Nelly Van Nieuwenhuysen (third from left), mother of the murdered police officer, in court with Officer Van Stalle. Behind him is the second shooting victim Ismael Sacoor