Mother and stepfather accused of ‘raping and selling their boy for sex’ in Germany

The pair, named only as Berrin T, 48, and Christian L, 39, have also been charged with repeatedly raping the child.

The couple, on trial in the southwestern city of Freiburg, are accused of handing over the boy to paedophiles on the so-called dark web for a period of more than two years.

They are also charged with the aggravated sexual assault of children, forced prostitution and distribution of child pornography.

Some of the alleged abuse was filmed, with police saying it was one of the worst cases they have investigated.

The boy is now in state care.

The case surfaced after an anonymous tip in September 2017.

It led to the arrest of the couple and six others who have been charged with belonging to an online paedophile ring.

Two of those arrested have been convicted in separate trials.

The stepfather, who has a previous conviction for paedophilia, admitted to the sexual assaults of the boy during a trial into one of the others arrested.

He also made serious accusations against the boy’s mother who has so far remained silent in court.

Beyond a conviction and prison sentence, prosecutors are also seeking preventive detention for the pair due to the seriousness of their alleged crimes.