Man in defilement case says he was framed

A 70-year-old German tourist accused of defiling an eight-year-old girl in Malindi has told a court he was framed by his estranged girlfriend.

Karl Heinz Otto (pictured) told Malindi Chief Magistrate Julie Oseko that his girlfriend of eight years had blackmailed him when he refused to give her Sh200,000 for upkeep.

“She wanted the money before I could fly back to Germany. She knew I was supposed to leave the country,” Mr Heinz said.

He explained that he had requested for more time but the girlfriend could hear none of it.

"She became angry and said I would regret if I tried going to Germany without giving her the money," Heinz said.

Knew minor

The accused said he had known the minor since she was a year old, and that he had been helping her jobless mother.

Prosecuting Counsel Alice Mathangani cross-examined Heinz, asking him if he held any grudge towards the girl's mother. He denied.

“When she came up with these allegations, I asked her to take the minor to a hospital for a medical examination, instead of going to police,” Heinz said.

His lawyer Alfred Wanga said he would be making submissions on his behalf in the next mention date on May 6. 

He said the submissions would prove Heinz's innocence.