Cook Islands- Klaus Reimann, a 53 year-old German tourist, will spend the next three years in jail at Arorangi Prison.
Chief Justice Laurie Greig handed down a one year sentence against Reimann for each of the two charges of indecent assault on two girls under the age of 12 in Altutaki (Cook Islands). Reimann was also sentenced to a term of three years for attempted sexual intercourse with another girl under the age of 12 in Aitutaki. The terms are to be served concurrently.
A report from Interpol, read in court, ndicated that Reimann had been convicted on a sexual abuse charge in Germany in 1981 and spent some time in the psychiatric ward of a prison.
In 1988 the police became suspicious of Reimann but charges were withdrawn. The court also heard from a doctors’ report that an incident took place in 1990 when Reimann was accused of sexual misconduct with an underage child.
Crown solicitor Tingika Elikana objected to suggestions that Reimann be deported and told the court that this was an opportune time to send a clear message to Cook Islanders and visitors that this sort of act is not tolerated in the country.
(Source: Cook Island News, May 19 2001)
