A 46-year-old paediatrician in Brandenburg, Germany, has been charged with 130 counts of sexual offences including rape and aggravated sexual abuse of children [1, 2, 3]. The alleged crimes took place primarily while the doctor was working at clinics in Rathenow and Nauen, operated by the Havelland Kliniken healthcare group [1, 2, 3].
The offenses reportedly occurred over a 12-year span from December 1, 2013, to November 5, 2025 [1, 2, 3]. Authorities arrested the paediatrician in November 2025 after a complaint from a patient’s mother triggered an investigation [1, 2, 3]. Since then, he has been held in pre-trial detention due to the risk of reoffending [1, 2, 3].
Prosecutors formally charged the doctor on May 6, 2026, and publicly announced the charges on May 13 [1]. The Potsdam public prosecutor’s office said, "The accused is charged with offences against sexual autonomy in a total of 130 cases. These include allegations of serious sexual abuse of children and rape" [2].
The Havelland Kliniken group confirmed the offences took place at their clinics and said it has launched an internal review. The medical director, Mike Lehsnau, said, "The allegations undermine the trust of patients and their families," and issued a statement extending sympathy to victims and their families [2]. The group has also set up a hotline to receive related tip-offs [2, 3].
Investigators seized numerous data storage devices believed to hold evidence after the initial complaint in November 2025 [1, 2, 3]. The case has drawn comparison to the 2025 French conviction of former surgeon Joël Le Scouarnec, who received a 20-year sentence for abusing 298 patients between 1989 and 2014 [1, 2].
The paediatrician remains in pre-trial detention as investigations continue into the allegations and the internal review by Havelland Kliniken proceeds [1, 2, 3].
