Tina Kraal Intends to Plead Guilty (updated)
April 15th, 2015, North Vancouver Provincial Court.
Update – May 5th – the information in this article was based on flawed information. It turns out Ms Kraal had not entered a plea. Her lawyer informed the court that his client intended to plead guilty at a future court appearance. Since that time Mr. Peters has indicated that Ms Kraal has decided to contest the charges. More information to come shortly.
Ms Tineke Kraal of North Vancouver British Columbia has pleaded guilty to criminal code violation 430 5.1 (b): Breach of duty likely to cause mischief. Ms Kraal’s lawyer Martin Peters appeared to enter the plea. Ms Kraal did not attend. For the entire picture click here.
Martin Peters (at left), lawyer for Tineke Kraal, appeared on her behalf in North Vancouver Provincial Court this morning.
This charge relates to video evidence that apparently showed someone placing debris on trails on Mount Fromme in North Vancouver. The evidence, painstakingly collected by two local mountain bikers, was presented to North Vancouver RCMP. Based on this evidence RCMP arrested 64-year old Tineke Kraal at 5:00 AM on January 4th, 2015. Local riders had noticed logs and debris on certain trails for many years.
Ms Kraal’s husband declared earlier that they would contest the charges. New information came forward shortly after this casting doubt on Mr Kraal’s contention that his wife’s actions were harmless. A letter Ronald Kraal sent to North Vancouver District Council in 2005 declared that he and his wife were ‘at war with mountain bikers’ and that they ‘destroy structures’ on their daily walks.
Ronald Kraal’s letter to North Vancouver District Council dated January 7th, 2005.
The Crown decided earlier to proceed summarily, meaning the charge will be treated as a misdemeanour. In these cases the maximum sentence is 6 months in jail and a fine of $5000.
Sentencing is expected sometime in June. An exact date will be set for sentencing shortly.
For more information on the charge and sentencing click here.
For more on the case as a whole click here.
Be aware that we reserve the right to moderate rude or disrespectful posts regarding this issue.
Comments
John
9 years ago
I'm curious if i have missed some facts along the way, as the information reported here doesn't seem to align with what has been reported elsewhere.
CBC news has the current state of affairs as follows:
"A North Vancouver woman accused of setting traps for mountain bikes on some popular trails is expected to plead guilty at a hearing later this year, according to her lawyer. Her lawyer Peter Martins told CBC News that Kraal plans to plead guilty and he expects the date for the sentencing hearing later this year will be set on Wednesday. "We will advise the court that we are seeking dates for a guilty plea, Martins said yesterday."
(Here is the full article: )
The article here "Tina Kraal pleads guilty" seems to give off the impression that a guilty plea has already been submitted. Have I missed something? Seems like NSMB is jumping the gun on reporting this.
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NELSON
8 years, 11 months ago
Following up on this. I can point to a couple of news outlets that indicate that she plans to plead guilty but hasn't actually entered a guilty plea to date.
Mods, any comment?
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Carl Linnaeus
9 years ago
I bring myself to hope for jail time. Those wealthy folk won't suffer much from a $5,000 fine. Even a day in the slammer would be fair considering that Kraal could have killed a son or daughter out for a fun ride. Let's not minimize the intent to injure. I hope a strong message is sent.
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John Canfield
9 years ago
I'm glad to see this case come to a close.
Monica, I understand you are sore about it- so keep writing your dissent, and everyone will continue ignoring it. Same as it ever was.
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ashroadadam1 .
9 years ago
Wow, we have one person here (Monica) still making excuses for a CONVICTED CRIMINAL, and the rest of people concerned about the welfare of other humans. I wonder how Terrafirma feels about other criminal acts, such as assault, rape, and theft? Does she spend her time making excuses for all convicted criminals? Or just the ones that fit her own little agenda. That woman needs to see a psychiatrist.
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trailrange7
9 years ago
I feel she should be fined but not put in prison. What she did was dangerous, no question about that, however nobody was hurt. I feel she should but fined.
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Dietmar
9 years ago
Let's put this little 'victory' into better perspective, shall we? Remember, mountain bikers' own little structures/objects built inside the NS woods have injured, maimed (and killed) more than a few people over the years. You can count your lucky stars that nobody has ended up suing the NSMBA and the District, so far. What goes around usually comes around.This is called karma, kiddies. And, 'lucky stars' has a precarious shelf life.
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Gord SB B
9 years ago
Thank you for your comment. Good night.
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Feral
9 years ago
This doesn't even make sense, those structures add a technical element to riding, whereas Mr and Mrs. Kraal were actively trying to injure.
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Dietmar
9 years ago
I don't believe for one moment that the Kraals were trying to injure anyone. They have been doing it for years, and the mountain bikers already knew about the sabotage for as long. The Kraals were likely trying to slow down the bikers, much like those placing logs and rocks on their trails that may have been braided or shortcut taken by STRAVA racers. They don't want to injure, but to stop them from doing more damage. It is a thin line that is being walked by mountain bikers. Depending on what the outcome of Kraal's sentencing, it could prove to backfire on a grudge victory.
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Merwinn
9 years ago
What you believe is irrelevant by virtue of her husband's email to the district, contained in this article, and her guilty plea. But please, go ahead and wrap yourself in your invisible cloak of self-rightousness, just make sure you wear clothes underneath.
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walleater
9 years ago
You haven't ridden a bicycle down Skull have you Terrafirma? A Line is a fast trail. Skull……isn't.
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Kramersdad
9 years ago
Uh, sabotage is much more dangerous than any "structure" or mountain biker coming down the trail. It is a cowardly and pathetic demonstration of intolerance and ignorance. Thanks for pontificating. Perhaps look in the mirror in order to convince yourself that you're above us lowly mtb miscreants.
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Matt
9 years ago
So what if they were just trying to slow riders down? Ignorance, or, as is more likely the case, the primary goal being something other than injury is no excuse for willfully putting others at risk. If somebody stepped out on Dirt Merchant and clotheslined me with a 2×4 I'd slow right down in a hurry. If their intention was purely, honestly just to slow me down, guess what? Still assault with a weapon, plus they're a moron to boot.
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Gord SB B
9 years ago
From the Mayo Clinic:
Narcissistic personality disorder is a disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others.
People with this come across as conceited, boastful or pretentious. They often monopolize conversations. They may belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior. They may feel a sense of entitlement — and when they don't receive special treatment, they may become impatient or angry.
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Cam McRae
9 years ago
I'm not sure you are able to present an unbiased opinion Monica. And if you saw the placement of logs and debris, and you knew anything about riding a mountain bike, you would have a different opinion. Based on what I saw I'm certain that someone was trying to injure someone. Not to mention remove bridges used by both hikers and mountain bikers. Maybe not the Kraals entirely, but it's interesting that this activity has completely ceased in recent months.
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Blunt
9 years ago
Terrafirma has never ridden a bike. She is fat old deluded woman who thinks she is an "Artist"
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Lee Lau
9 years ago
Terrafirma. We have discussed things before amicably and I hope you will take this observation with the same spirit of frank amicable discussion.
I had observed log placements on these trails since the mid 2000s. It was only in the fall of 2014 that the sabotage became (i) related to bigger objects (ii) extended in scope from one or two trails to many trails; and (iii) were placed on blind corners and rollovers.
In my opinion, there's no question that Tineke Kraals' actions were intended to injure.
Hopefully the plea and forthcoming sentence resolves matters.
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Dietmar
9 years ago
Why is it okay for individuals in mountain biking community to set bigger traps for "STRAVAdouches", and gain approval for it by the others in the MTB community? Some biker could get hurt, you know.
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Nat Brown
9 years ago
What on earth are you saying? Where does Matt advocate MTBers setting traps? Where does Matt mention STRAVA?
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Dietmar
9 years ago
That sounds more like a description of the mountain biking collective, Gord. You bikers have taken too much and want so much more. You clap when people like Tina are caught, but applaud those from within the MTB community who do the same. (See my comment to "Matt", below). I am just pointing out the obvious. There is a clear double standard, here.
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Matt
9 years ago
I don't understand, what point are you trying to make here exactly?
Setting traps for human beings is never ok, ever. I think you may be referring to blocking off unauthorized cut lines with natural material though, which is just fine and helps to prevent erosion and trail degradation.
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Matt
9 years ago
Your comment was entirely irrelevant to my point, or indeed my opinion. For that matter, I can think of zero examples of anybody being applauded for setting traps for their fellow trail users by the mountain biking community.
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Dietmar
9 years ago
I was not accusing "Matt" of anything. I was making a general statement on the double standards I am seeing.
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Nat Brown
9 years ago
I don't understand the connection to Matt's comment, sorry. I don't really see much of a double standard here either really. Perhaps you could explain the foundation you're coming from?
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Feral
9 years ago
You're making these double standards up to justify the actions of the Kraals. They both have separately admitted to actions designed to injure. Mr Kraal is lucky that no one impaled themselves on one of the structures he sabotaged, otherwise there could be much more than the threat of a short jail sentence and minor fine.
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Matt
9 years ago
I agree with Nat, I'm genuinely curious as to the basis of your claim. What evidence do you have of a double standard? I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but I certainly haven't seen it.
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Dietmar
9 years ago
Why were these incidents not reported to DNV, much earlier, if this was the case? And, if it was, why did DNV do nothing to resolve the issue before it got to this point? That is what has been bothering me about this whole issue. Also, why was the Kraal's letter not taken seriously by the District, and the mountain biking community, at the time?
I just see DNV giving the dirty work for the MTB community to do, in more ways than just with this issue. You may not see it that way, but there is a lot of things happening that do not make any sense, when you stop to take a look at the bigger picture.
I spoke with Mayor Walton, recently, about my concerns, and he told me point blank that the District has no control over what goes on inside their mountains! That took me by surprise, but also explained a lot. It seems to mean a carte blanche for the MTB community, but it could also become a greater liability for it, also.
This is troubling news. And it should be for you, too. I believe the MTB community is being "used" by the District, for whatever means to an end. I am no longer angry, just resigned to the fate of Fromme -- whatever that may become. And soon, the fate of the Upper Lands in Cypress…
Too bad the Kraals never spoke to me in the early years. I could have told them that it was futile to try to stop mountain bikers with logs and rocks, or whatever, and wrong. Even words, like mine, don't seem to make a dent in the MTB wave. So be it! But, as the old story goes -- one wrong will get punished, while MTBing wrongs have been rewarded. Go figure, eh? "Lovely".
I will now take my leave from this futile conversation on MTB issues. What will be, will be.
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mightyted
9 years ago
Monica, how do you set a trap for "Stravadouches" that somehow magically normal riders are immune to? Any sort of impediment on a trial will affect everyone that uses it.
It still amazes me how nsmb readers actually take the to stop and reply to your comments. You will always be an antagonistic troll, making senseless arguments in a zero sum campaign.
We will always ride and fight to make our trails safer for all users. Why not join us and have something positive to show for yourself for once?
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Nat Brown
9 years ago
It's pretty clear that the DNV is not the appropriate place to report trail sabotage or any other form of vandalism. It's not equipped to respond other than to refer it to the police.
You can't be serious that the district didn't do anything in response to the Kraal's letter. It's obviously stupid.
The MTB community is being used? For 'whatever means to an end'? Even you don't know what you're talking about there, how can anyone else?
I wouldn't entirely discount the possibility that words couldn't make a dent in the MTB wave. To me, you just haven't got a reasonable point, or at least aren't communicating it effectively if you do. I'm waiting for you to inform me of something I haven't considered about the impacts of mountain biking on Fromme, but you've yet to hit that mark. You're obviously passionate. Maybe you're also wrong.
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DMVancouver
9 years ago
I am trying to take a step back and understand the parallels you are making here, but I am having trouble. From what I can tell, you are arguing that the logs and traps placed across trails by the Kraals fall in the same category as any other trail building activity, but it is performed by a different user group with a different goal in mind and thus held to a double-standard.
Firstly, if you look at the what the Kraals did as structure building, this building is most certainly unauthorized. Unauthorized building on Fromme by any user group gets removed and is not legitimate.
Secondly, recent trail building has been done in a context of safety and sustainability (although you may disagree). Having obstacles across a trail that come up in short visible notice result in heavy braking, which causes erosion. Also, building must be done to ensure adequate notice to riders of an obstacle coming up. Features built by mountain bikers that do not provide enough expectancy are rectified or removed. To take your example of closing off a braid, it would always be done in a manner that a user expects. A braid would be closed off at the edge of the proper trail and not halfway down a slope once a user has committed to a braid.
The placement of obstacles by the Kraals at blind locations was certainly dangerous, unsustainable, unauthorized and led to poor user experience. What the Kraals did was not good trail building. So I don't really see any double standard here.
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Gord SB B
9 years ago
"They may belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior."
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josh
9 years ago
Yeah, it's just sabotage. Get over it already. :/
Terrafirma, you're part of the problem. STFU and go polish your walking sticks.
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Kramersdad
9 years ago
I refuse to be maligned as part of the mountain biking collective. The vast majority of us respect other trail users and genuinely appreciate the privilege of being able to ride. Sabotage and attempts to injure rightfully will elicit proportionate resistance and your pathetic attempts to rationalize Mrs. Kraal's criminal behaviours deposit you into a similarly troubled abyss.
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Merwinn
9 years ago
Facts are helpful when spinning a yarn, Monica. Try it, you'll appreciate it's effectiveness.
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Lee Lau
9 years ago
I'm sorry you won't be posting anymore. The mtb crowd is full of lemming mentality and has no shortage of apologists so it was always good to have someone apart from the clique with a different perspective.
Just speaking for myself, I should not have to repeat that the sabotage increased in scope and geographic ambit from fall 2014 onwards which is when (again IMO) it became more of a concern.
I do agree that DNV's tendencies to offload maintenance onto the MTB community is a bit troubling but so be it. DNV/RCMP obviously cannot be the end-all be- all for maintenance or policing.
Based on the Working Group's recommendations the Cypress Upper Lands looks like it will have a better fate than their lower lands by the way
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Dietmar
9 years ago
Lee, you have to understand that reasonable conversation cannot continue when others want to call those in opposition nasty names, and taunt, rather than to discuss the issues at hand. Since this is also being written on NSMB.com "turf", it is no place for naysayers.
I am not condoning what Ms. Kraal did, but in her doing it, I see her more as rather naive, but determined. I sympathize with her because I understand her frustration. I have heard many stories from people over the years about hiker- biker conflicts on the North Shore, and elsewhere. It is not all "smelling like roses" in the woods. Don't fool yourself into thinking that it is.
What if some mountain bikers were fined, or charged, rather than rewarded, for "unsanctioned" activities inside the public forests, and DNV did not go out of their way to "sanction" the trails in 2008, but to enforce their many environmental protection laws/bylaws, etc.? You would all be in the same boat as Ms. Kraal.
There are many of us who see what mountain bikers are doing as a form of ecological vandalism, and "sabotage" of a different sort. We have very different worldviews. Never the twain shall meet.
That is all I have left to say, here. Another time, another place… maybe, Lee.
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Nat Brown
9 years ago
I can't blame you too much for wanting to leave this discussion. Many have been inhospitable and personal.
You did start this particular thread with a comment that I doubt you can defend though. I've made specific criticisms of what you've written and I don't think you've addressed any of them in a substantial sense. If you can see your way past my directness, I'm interested in understanding the basis of your viewpoint; no name calling, no personal attacks.
If there's an inner circle or clique here, I want nothing to do with it. At times you've made generalizations about MTBers that really don't hold in my view. I see a evidence of independent, reasonable thought from a significant proportion here. Ignore the others and give us a chance. It would be a cop out to assume I don't agree because I'm toeing a party line.
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Carl Linnaeus
9 years ago
"you have to understand that reasonable conversation cannot continue when others want to call those in opposition nasty names, and taunt, rather than to discuss the issues at hand."
The kettle is a little black. Bunch of scofflaws!
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Nat Brown
9 years ago
Huh?
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Carl Linnaeus
9 years ago
Well, you see, Terrafirma has always called the mtbr community scofflaws and used both crazy rhetoric and caricature to portray bikers as only she sees them. I just find it funny that she does not like being called names and yet she is the foremost name-caller and unreasonable conversationalist of the bunch. So yes the Kettle is black, isn't it? I suppose you would understand if you have seen her many articles in the many newspapers. Well, if you don't know what I mean by it, rest assured, she does.
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Nat Brown
9 years ago
I'd have thought that was the pot, but thanks for the clarification. Since you keep a private disqus and thought the comment could go either way, I was after just this kind of answer.
It's nice to get an answer!
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Reality Bite
8 years, 1 month ago
It frankly doesn't matter what they intended to do you brattish little sociopath. Actively blocking any trail for any other entitled user is shameful, let alone setting up traps which have the potential to injure. It doesn't matter whether they intended to "slow bikers down" or kill them, there was always potential that the latter could occur. As for your final, inane point. There is actually a lot of research demonstrating that cyclists have no more impact on trails than hikers. And lastly, there's literally millions of acres of forest in BC, I'm sure there's enough for everyone so stop your pathetic victim blaming and hit the road.
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ottoride
9 years ago
mountain bikers have not declared they are "at war" as the guilty party has written in evidence and actions. all mountain bikers are doing is enjoying nature and engaging in healthy recreational activities. this includes developing a sustainable and economical beneficial resource for the community at large. usually when you are "at war" your intent is to cause grievous bodily injury at a specific target (mountain bikers).
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Peaceful Hiker
9 years ago
Your bias is showing.
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Nat Brown
9 years ago
This doesn't make sense in the context of the discussion here. Aside from Colin, who either had a bad day or has remarkably worked out how to use a keyboard despite being extremely unintelligent, nobody is talking about anything aside from their view of how just the punitive measures might be. This is not a victory. No one has used any language synonymous with this being a victory here.
It is at best ignorant to present sabotage of a trail and the technicality of the trail itself as being the same thing. The stark contrast is that MTBers do not willingly submit themselves to the potential consequences of sabotage, but they do willingly submit to that for technical trail features.
Karma? Come on and get real.
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BobBaggio
9 years ago
Care to provide some examples of the maiming and killing?
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Nat Brown
9 years ago
There are examples of both that I'm aware of. However, there's a burden on Terrafirma to make a case for the relevance of this to Kraal making a guilty plea.
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Peter Leeds
9 years ago
I wonder if this will deter any further acts of "self imposed righteousness". I think if the other charges were kept to send a message I would sleep easier. But regardless, at least this is all in the public eye and hopefully MC gets the idea that being a zealot only goes so far. And now there is precedent. Time will tell.
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John Fox
9 years ago
Spare her the jail time, but impose the maximum fine. That ought to leave a strong enough sting to keep her and others like her from doing it again.
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Merwinn
9 years ago
An extremist who, in my opinion, does not represent non-wheeled trail users on the Shore. In the end they are simply liabilities to their own 'cause'.
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AlanB
9 years ago
Congrats and thanks to those that worked so hard to get the evidence and follow through with the RCMP.
Kudos to you. Great work!
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Matt
9 years ago
Can't bring myself to hope for jail time but a solid fine would be in order I think.
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colin
9 years ago
Fuck yeah. Bitch.
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giddyupPG
9 years ago
Weak comment, Colin.
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nick
9 years ago
now let's move on
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Reality Bite
8 years, 1 month ago
Fuck you. This is important. It's a problem happening more and more, hikers and bikers conflicting. But there's never an excuse for this behavior and it's fucking important that it's covered and given as much exposure as possible.
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