Once an Eden stalwart, Reinhard ‘Fritz’ Drenkhahn has been found guilty on four charges of sexually assaulting children.
The 65-year-old was arrested at his home in 2016 on charges that relate to the abuse of two local boys aged 12 and 14 years at the time. The offences occurred in the early 2000’s locally and in another part of regional New South Wales.
Both victims are now in their late twenties; a detailed account of their abuse was presented to a jury of Drenkhahn’s peers this week in Wollongong District Court.
The investigation lead by Detective Sergeant Justin Marks, Detective Sergeant Shane Robinson, and Sergeant Clifton Scarlett has resulted in Drenkhahn being found guilty on three counts of ‘Aggravated Indecent Assault with victim under the age of 16 years’ and one count of ‘Sexual Intercourse with person 10 or over and under 16 years’.
Bail was refused with sentencing scheduled for February 14, 2020, in Wollongong District Court.
Drenkhan’s connection with Eden stems back some 30 years as a commercial fisherman and owner of a fishing vessel.
More to come.
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