Paediatrician from Havelland admits abuse in 130 cases – trial in Potsdam
The trial has begun at Potsdam Regional Court against a 46-year-old paediatrician accused of sexually abusing more than 70 children.
Trial opens in Potsdam: paediatrician admits to almost all charges
The criminal trial against a 46-year-old paediatrician from Havelland Kliniken began on Monday at Potsdam Regional Court. According to rbb24.de, the accused is charged with the sexual abuse of more than 70 children and young people in a total of 130 cases.
The prosecution read out the indictment for nearly three hours at the opening of proceedings. The accused then briefly addressed the court himself: he said he had confessed to almost all the charges and would stand by that. He was aware that he had incurred great guilt. He wished that his victims could one day move past what happened – and therefore wanted to spare them from testifying as witnesses. The defence announced that he would express himself in more detail in the further course of the proceedings.
Crime scenes: clinics, nurseries and private flat
According to the charges, the doctor committed the majority of the offences in the course of his work at the clinic locations in Rathenow and Nauen in Havelland. He is said to have mostly sought out his predominantly male victims in patient rooms and abused them – also under the pretext of medical examinations. He is said to have taken photographs and videos during these incidents.
In at least four cases, according to the indictment, he exploited visits to childcare facilities in Brandenburg which he carried out on behalf of the health authority for medical examinations. There too, he is said to have abused small children and created photographic and video material.
In 2023, he is said to have met on several occasions with a former patient in a standby flat at the clinic in Nauen. According to the charges, these meetings involved sexual acts with the person who was aged 15 at the time, and later 16. Serious sexual offences against minors are also said to have occurred in the accused's private flat.
Period of offending spanning twelve years
According to the indictment, the alleged offences span from early December 2013 to November 2025 – a period of almost twelve years. The victims were aged between two and twenty years old. The investigation was set in motion after a mother filed a report in November of the previous year. After evaluation of recovered data media, the scale of the case increased considerably. The doctor was arrested and remanded in custody due to the risk of reoffending.
Clinic overhauls child protection mechanisms
Fifteen victims or their legal guardians are appearing as co-prosecutors in the trial. A total of 18 trial days have been scheduled; a verdict is expected in mid-December.
Havelland Kliniken GmbH described the opening of the trial as an "important step towards comprehensive and lawful clarification". Following the disclosure of the charges, the company had revised its child protection mechanisms. "From now on, the four-eyes principle applies as standard during examinations and care measures in sensitive situations," the clinic group said. In addition, an independent child protection officer has been appointed.
Source: Google News LU DE