German cannibal denies sexual motive for killing

The self-confessed "Cannibal of Rotenburg" denied yesterday that sexual motives played a part in his decision to kill and eat a 43-year-old acquaintance - before judges watched a two-hour video film of him slaughtering and dismembering his victim.

Armin Meiwes, 42,appeared in a court in Kassel, Germany, on the second day of his trial in which he is accused of murdering Bernd Jurgen Brandes at his farmhouse in Rotenburg in March 2001 and subsequently consuming parts of his body kept in a deep freeze at his home.

State prosecutors have charged Mr Meiwes with killing Mr Brandes to gratify his sexual urges.

But Mr Meiwes told the court yesterday: "One has sex with a partner in bed, not with a piece of meat. It had nothing to do with sexual arousal ... By eating, I wanted to make this person become part of me."

Judges also watched a video film of the murder, which was considered too horrific for public viewing, in closed session.

A verdict is expected on 30 January next year.

- INDEPENDENT