A German politician has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison after being convicted of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and incest involving his 12-year-old daughter.
Holger Rene Winkler, 38, a father of five and political campaigner from Wittenburg, near Hamburg, was convicted after a DNA test established that he was the biological father of a child born to his underage daughter.
The case came to light after the girl gave birth at a German hospital. Doctors reportedly alerted the police and youth welfare authorities, prompting an investigation and subsequent paternity test.
Reports said Winkler admitted the offence when questioned by police. His daughter was spared from testifying in court following his confession.
Appearing before the Dessau-Roßlau Regional Court on Monday, September 21, Winkler reportedly told the court, “I’m not a paedophile.”
He also referred to difficulties in his personal circumstances at the time of the offence, saying his family of seven lived in a 64-square-metre home. He reportedly added that he had wanted to train as an IT specialist but was unable to do so.
The case has also drawn attention to Winkler’s previous political campaigning, during which he presented himself as a family-oriented politician and advocated better housing options for young and large families.
Following the conviction, Winkler’s wife told German media that the situation was terrible but said he remained the father of her five children and would return to the family after serving his sentence.
She also said she and her daughter had decided to put the baby boy up for adoption. Reports said the child is currently living with a foster family.
Winkler has now begun serving his four-year-and-three-month prison sentence.
