German in incest case faces new abuse accusations

KOBLENZ, Germany – Two more people came forward in court Thursday to accuse a German man who admits fathering eight children with his stepdaughter of new allegations of sexual and physical abuse — the man's stepsons.

Detlef S., whose last name has not been given due to German privacy laws, is accused of assaulting his daughter, now 18, as well as his twin stepdaughter and stepson, now 28, between 1987 and 2010. He is charged with 350 counts of sexual abuse and 35 other counts for allegedly forcing the two girls to have sex with other men for money.

On the third day of Detlef S.'s trial at the Koblenz state court, another one of his stepsons — now 29 — testified that his stepfather repeatedly crawled into his bed and molested him when he was between 9 and 11.

A second stepson, who is now 32, recalled being beaten by the defendant and confirmed that violence was common in the family, the DAPD news agency reported. He said he hadn't been aware of the defendant's abuse of his stepdaughter, but added that the man was often alone with her.

Detlef S., a truck driver who lived in Fluterschen near Bonn, admitted Tuesday at the start of the trial to fathering eight children with his stepdaughter — one of whom died in infancy. But he denied the other charges against him.

Following tearful testimony by his daughter on Wednesday, he acknowledged having abused her.

One stepson who testified Thursday recalled his mother once trying to keep the defendant away from his daughter and being beaten for it.

Detlef S. faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Presiding Judge Winfried Hetger said the court planned a psychiatric evaluation of the defendant to determine whether he could be fully held responsible for the alleged crimes. So far, Detlef S. has refused to be examined by a psychiatrist.

During the next trial session next Wednesday, the defendant's wife — the mother of the abused children — will testify, DAPD reported.

A verdict is expected in mid-March.

(This version corrects man not charged with incest.)