A man in Regensburg apparently lured through the blinds of several women for years. The punishment? Presumably a fine for trespassing. The public prosecutor’s office says there is no evidence that he was stalking. Can this be? Criminal law professor Katrin Gierhake explains the case – and why flower pots on the terrace can help.
Interviewed by
Lisa Schnell, Regensburg
In May 2021, a woman from Regensburg published pictures of her tensioner. Several other women reported because they recognized the man. The police received a total of 13 complaints dating back to 2016. The public prosecutor’s office was only able to prove four cases of trespassing against the 56-year-old, who lives near the women, and is now applying for a fine of between two and three months’ salary. Some of the women are disappointed. The man appears in her nightmares, says one who has moved because of him. Another has left her job in a bar because she is too insecure to come home so late and wants to start therapy. She speaks of a “catastrophic legal situation”. Is she right? A conversation with Katrin Gierhake, Chair of Criminal Law at the University of Regensburg.