Germany: Sexual offender on trial after alleged abuse during prison leave

A 23-year-old convicted sexual offender is facing trial at the Aschaffenburg District Court following allegations that he abused two children during a prison leave intended to prepare for his release. The incidents reportedly occurred in Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt, where the defendant allegedly used social media to contact minors and their families. In one instance, a 12-year-old was targeted in the Aschaffenburg area, and in another, an 11-year-old was targeted in the Salzlandkreis.

The Lower Saxony Ministry of Justice has acknowledged a “prognosis error” regarding the inmate's behavior at the Hameln juvenile detention center. Officials stated that the defendant's conduct during his leave did not align with the facility's previous assessments. In response to the incident, Lower Saxony is reportedly planning legislative changes regarding prison leave and release preparations. The prosecution intends to request preventive detention to ensure the individual remains incarcerated if he continues to pose a danger to the public.