'Socket sadist' convinced girls as young as 15 to give themselves 230v electric shocks for money
A "socket sadist" allegedly persuaded young girls to give themselves electric shocks on Skype in exchange for money. After reportedly convincing several women to send a 230v shock through their bodies, David G now faces 88 attempted murder charges.
As the women shocked their bare feet, the alleged foot fetishist would watch them online and derive sadistic pleasure, Mirror reports.
According to prosecutors, David offered his victims up to €3,000 ($3,304) to partake in a non-existent "study" he was conducting while posing as a scientist. He allegedly targeted victims aged between 15 and 30 via eBay adverts, claiming to be Dr Christian Vogel who was looking for participants for a study on sexual electric shock fetishes.
Prosecutors also claimed the 30-year-old, of Bavaria, Germany, knew that a 230v shock could be fatal.
It is alleged that a number of victims carried out the experiments and sustained severe burns, cramps, heart irregularities and, in some cases, even lost consciousness. "The victims believed he was a scientist and there was no danger to them to carry out the experiment, that's why they agreed," prosecutors said. "But the accused was fully aware that 230 volts was enough to kill a person."
One of the videos was played in the Munich court showing a 27-year-old woman chatting with David G before agreeing to participate in the bogus research. The woman is allegedly seen in the footage using a spoon and nail connected to a socket in a bid to shock her naked feet.
In what prosecutors say was a combination of two fetishes for the suspect, the woman is seen screaming loudly before grabbing her foot in excruciating pain. The victim told the court how she signed up for the "experiment" four years ago as she had been desperate for money at the time.
"I had little money, and was looking for jobs on eBay ads," she told the court, saying David's apparent academic title let her believe it was safe.
"The accused contacted me and said he was working as a scientist and was conducting experiments into electric stimulation," she continued. "He really made a serious impression. I agreed as I needed the money."
The fake scientist allegedly asked her to "keep your foot on there longer and show your foot to the camera."
"Yes, unfortunately, I need you to do it on both feet," he allegedly responded when she protested.
"In one of the attempts, I caught the cable and got a large shock," she recalled. "Every muscle cramped, my back spasmed, I struggled to breathe and was lying on the floor. On my hand, I got a blister."
"230v of electricity were sent through my body, I realized, it was a stupid idea. Who would build something with spoons and cables and connect it to the power?" she told the court. "I was so embarrassed. But he appeared so serious and I just wanted the money."
David's sadistic activities first came to light when a 16-year-old fell unconscious after the experiment and had to be rushed to hospital.
According to prosecutors, doctors alerted the police after the victim told them about the experiment.
In February 2018, the IT specialist was apprehended by law enforcement.
As the case surrounds the suspect's sexual desires, Judge Thomas Bolt has ordered much of the trial kept private and not revealed further details.
Meanwhile, David's lawyers Klaus W. Spiegel and Matthias Bohn said their client suffers from Asperger Syndrome and autism, and therefore claimed he had diminished responsibility for his actions.
While speaking with his lawyers, David G allegedly claimed the experiments were an "attempt to communicate with the environment."
The trial continues.