Court adjourns alleged German paedophile's case to secure interpreter

A 79-year-old German pensioner, Gerlard Kusterer, who allegedly abducted and defiled a 15-year-old girl at a hotel in Accra made his second appearance before an Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday.

When the case was called, the prosecution led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sarah Acquah substituted the charge sheet.

In the new charge sheet, Kusterer had been charged with abduction of unmarried female under 18 years, defilement and gross indecency.

The court was unable to take his plea because there was no German interpreter, and therefore ordered the court’s registrar to apply for a German interpreter.

The matter was adjourned to July 10.

At the last sitting, the accused, who took nude pictures of the girl and other victims in a hotel room pleaded not guilty to abduction of an unmarried female under 18 years and defilement.

Kusterer, however, pleaded guilty to obscenity but the court presided over by Ms Sedina Agbemava remanded him and deferred sentence to July 3.

ASP Acquah told the court that the complainant, Mr. Kwabena Boakye, is a security officer residing at Korle-Gonno and the victim is his sister who lived with her parents at Amrahia, Accra.

The prosecution said on May 25, this year, at about 1400 hours, the victim visited the complainant at Korle-Gonno and they both went to the beach.

The victim informed the complainant that she was hungry so the complainant left the victim and went to buy food for her.

ASP Acquah said while eating, a man whose name was not known joined the victim at her table and engaged her in a conversation.

The prosecution said Kusterer joined them and bought a bottle of Guinness for the victim and a bottle of beer for himself.

ASP Acquah said the unknown man sent the victim to town and bought various items for her and lured her to Mascot hotel at North Kaneshie and left leaving the victim and Kusterer in the hotel.

The prosecution said Kusterer defiled the victim and kept her in his hotel room and on June 13, this year, Kusterer again defiled the victim at about 1735 hours and took nude pictures of the girl with his digital camera.

Two days later, the victim fell ill and escaped from the hotel and disclosed her ordeal to the complainant.

ASP Acquah said the complainant on June 19, reported the case to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Accra and a medical form was issued to the complainant to send the victim to the hospital for examination and treatment.

The prosecution said the same day; the Police in the company of the complainant went to Mascot Hotel and arrested Kusterer in his hotel room.

Kusterer, in his caution statement denied defiling the victim but maintained that he took nude pictures of her and other girls and saved them on his camera.**