Seven and a Half Years in Prison for Secret Sexual Misconduct

A 61-year-old man from Stolberg has been jailed for eight years and six months after systematically abusing his wife for years. Fernando P. secretly filmed, drugged, sexually assaulted, and raped her in a prolonged campaign of violence. The trial at Aachen District Court (Landgericht) concluded with a guilty verdict on all charges.

The case began when police arrested Fernando P. in Stolberg in February 2025. He admitted his crimes during questioning, which helped speed up the investigation. Prosecutors accused him of combining physical and digital abuse—installing hidden cameras and sharing recordings online.

The trial took place in the Aachen Justice Center, a modern glass-and-steel annex behind the historic courthouse. Most hearings were held in private to protect the victim and her family from further distress. The ground-floor hall, with its high ceilings and wood panelling, was reserved for press and spectators during public sessions. The victim, appearing as a joint plaintiff, did not attend the verdict. Her lawyer, Nicole Servaty, later stated that the ruling could help her process what happened. The case also drew attention from gender equality advocates, including Petra Follmar-Otto, who noted that such violence remains widespread in Germany. The verdict arrived exactly one year after the high-profile ruling in the Gisèle Pélidot case. Both trials have underscored ongoing concerns about systemic gender-based violence.

Fernando P. will serve eight and a half years in prison for his crimes. The court’s decision follows a trial marked by efforts to shield the victim from additional harm. Legal experts and advocates continue to highlight the broader issue of intimate partner violence in Germany.