Disgusting act

Girl raped several times by her own brother

The man from Oberland did not confess during the trial on Tuesday.(Bild: Chantal Dorn, Krone KREATIV)

To the outside world, the 28-year-old defendant at Feldkirch Regional Court (Vorarlberg) gives the impression of a nice neighbor. However, the accusations made by public prosecutor Philipp Höfle paint a very different picture. The trained mechanic is accused of repeatedly and severely abusing his little sister over a period of two years. 

According to the criminal complaint, the ordeal of the then seven-year-old began in 2009. At the time, her tormentor was just 14 years old and of legal age. "The accused held the victim by her arms and legs and abused her. When the child resisted, the accused only told her not to pretend and to stay calm," said the public prosecutor, describing the disgusting act.

Other women raped
In addition to abusing the sister, the man from Oberland is accused of raping two then-girlfriends several times between 2016 and fall 2019. In some cases, the accused allegedly sexually assaulted them while they were asleep.

As in the police interview, the 28-year-old did not confess at the trial either. The incriminating statements regarding the seven-year-old sister were a set-up by the dysfunctional family, suspected defense lawyer Nicolas Stieger.

Severe psychological damage
But nobody believed this, especially as the sister had suffered severe psychological damage according to a psychiatric report. The defendant was sentenced to five years in prison. He has to pay his sister 15,210 euros in partial compensation for pain and suffering and is liable for all further damages. One of the ex-girlfriends will receive 8,000 euros.

The man from Oberland did not confess during the trial on Tuesday.