Trial over torture in Soest: Woman bound in cold for hours
A nurse and three accomplices are alleged to have tortured and raped a woman for weeks. A neighbour discovered her on the terrace – suffering from life-threatening hypothermia.
Trial over torture in Soest begins
The prosecutor outlined a scenario of severe abuse before the Arnsberg Regional Court. Dennis J. (29), a nurse, is alleged to have tortured and raped a 33-year-old woman for weeks in his terraced house in Soest, together with three accomplices (16, 17, 25). On Monday, senior prosecutor Imke Reelsen read out seven charges against the men. According to BILD, the defendants remained silent at the start of the proceedings, listening without visible emotion.
A neighbour discovered the woman on 3 November 2025 at around 22:30, half-naked and bound to a terrace beam. She had been there for hours – her feet barely touched the ground, and the outside temperature was 13 degrees Celsius. The woman's body temperature was 35.6 degrees. Senior prosecutor Reelsen told the court: "There was a risk of death if the woman had not been discovered."
Months of abuse
The homeless woman was known to the nurse and had frequently been allowed to sleep in his house. Dennis J. moved into the house at the end of July 2025 with his partner Sarah A. (28) and her three children. According to the charges, the victim was subjected to various humiliations and torments over weeks. On one occasion, the woman had to dance naked on a table; on another, she was bound to a heater in the basement. According to the prosecutor, J. also filmed an accomplice raping the woman in front of a child's bed. In other incidents, he is alleged to have tortured her with a pressure washer in the shower, burned her skin with a cigarette, and forced her to take drugs.
Partner also in custody
Sarah A. told BILD that she barely noticed the abuse and was herself a victim of the "sadist". However, she has been in remand custody since 25 September. She faces several charges of assault against the woman, whom she had described as her friend. The prosecution fears a flight risk. She has since had a young daughter with Dennis J. She must answer the charges in a separate trial.
The victim, who suffers from autism spectrum disorder, was initially treated in intensive care and subsequently received psychological treatment. Her lawyer informed the court that questioning the traumatised client in the main hearing would not be possible. At most, she could be questioned via video link. The court still has to decide on this application.
According to the charges, the accomplices face charges including aiding and abetting and drug dealing. Two of them announced that they would comment on the allegations in one of the upcoming hearings. The court has set 13 trial dates. A verdict is expected later this year.
Source: BILD