• Germany edition
Society
Photo: DPA

'Bad Santa' poisons girl at Christmas market

Published: 11 Dec 11 13:50 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20111211-39439.html

A 15-year-old girl fell ill at a Berlin Christmas market on Saturday, bringing to eight the number of confirmed Christmas-market-poisonings this week. This time, though, the poisoner was apparently dressed as Santa Claus.

The unknown man offered the girl a paper cup containing the German spirit Schnaps at the market near Berlin's Alexanderplatz. After drinking it, she vomited and suffered short-term memory loss.

Doctors confirmed that a substance, not yet identified, had been mixed into the drink.

It is unclear whether the poisoner was the same man who poisoned at least seven people in various Christmas markets around Berlin this week.

The man was first seen at a market in the capital’s Charlottenburg district, where he told two foreign visitors he was a new father and wanted to celebrate by offering them free drinks of alcohol, Der Tagesspiegel newspaper reported on Friday.

Police said the victims may have been given a mixture of alcohol and so-called “knockout drops” meant to render people unconscious so they can be robbed or sexually assaulted.

Police are now searching for a slim man in his mid-40s, about 1.8 metres tall with short, dark blond hair.

DAPD/The Local/bk

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

14:45 December 11, 2011 by Lachner
I'm still baffled that so many people would accept to ingest an unknown drink offered by a complete stranger. These people are either complete idiots or extremely naive to do this, so I guess they had it coming.
15:00 December 11, 2011 by DickShawnsDiction
^ I'm assuming you have your alibi in place, then, Lachner... (laugh)
22:34 December 11, 2011 by DOZ
What's wrong with the people of Germany? You guys are clearly sick and a danger to humanity. Probably explains the sickening Hansel and Gretal Fairy Tale. No wonder my mother was a nutcase.
00:44 December 12, 2011 by starsh3ro
DOZ you judge our whole population because of a few idiots?

ignorant much?
01:32 December 12, 2011 by reallybigdog
Don't pick on Doz... he just retarded!
01:35 December 12, 2011 by boopsie
So, how long will it be before they catch this nut?
13:01 December 12, 2011 by kohcherp
I'm not sure that this person is just roaming the Christmas market. I was in Berlin about 2 weekends ago, and someone offered me a drink (jagermeister) at the u-bahn station. From the description, I think it is likely to be the same person.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Merkel: business must fight immigrant prejudice

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday called on Germans to fight prejudice against immigrants ahead of next week's integration summit. READ () »

Chinese premier visit to strengthen trade ties

Chinese premier visit to strengthen trade ties

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday as the two export powerhouses seek to further strengthen economic ties amid brewing trade spats between Beijing and the EU. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Skyscraper festival hits new heights in Frankfurt

Frankfurt city skyline is being celebrated this weekend with a skyscraper extravaganza. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to witness spectacular events, daring feats and music in the sky. READ () »

Workers get Berlin's fan mile ready ahead of Saturday's final. Photo: DPA

Police put Germany on terror alert for CL final

German security services have been put on high alert after picking up terror warnings for public viewings of Saturday night's all-German Champions League final. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Helicopter sprays 220 kids with insecticide

15 young children were taken to hospital late on Friday after bug-busting authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia accidentally dumped toxic insecticide over a primary school during playtime. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Bundesbank chief: allow eurozone defaults

The head of the German central Bundesbank Jens Weidmann said on Friday that eurozone countries should be able to default, a possibility which the EU has gone to great lengths to avoid during the current crisis. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Fan wants Bayern ticket-Oktoberfest beer swap

A Bayern Munich supporter is so desperate to get his hands on a ticket for Saturday's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund he is offering to trade 20 litres of beer and a rare free table at Oktoberfest. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Nationwide cannabis limit rolls nearer

Germany could in the future have a country-wide “tolerable limit” for cannabis possession, it was reported on Friday. Currently, this amount differs between states. READ () »

More Society
RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
  1. Cardinal: Women should stay at home and breed »
  2. Germany tops world popularity poll »
  3. Ten German body parts »
  4. Nationwide cannabis limit rolls nearer »
  5. Keep your socks on
    Highlights
    Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: Private Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: M&S Photo: Private Photo: Katie Needs Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: A Peoples' Picture Photo: Private Photo: DPA Photo: Private Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Monster/jobpilot.de Furniture Leasing Corporation Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se



    Latest news from The Local in France

    More news from France at thelocal.fr

    Latest news from The Local in Norway

    More news from Norway at thelocal.no

    Latest news from The Local in Sweden

    More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

    Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

    More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

    See all ads | Join the Marketplace

    Jobs in Germany, in English

    916 jobs available
    672 new jobs this week
    30 new jobs today

    ALL JOBS »

    Blog
    Essentials

    Dating
    Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

    Weather
    "After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

    Blog
    German stuff that's distracting us today.

    Noticeboard
    Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

    Discuss
    Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

    Search News


    Register

    Register now for:
    > Free use of noticeboard
    > Special discounts
    > Weekly news roundup
    > Unlimited use of discuss

    REGISTER FOR FREE »

    News from the Goethe-Institut
    News from Young Germany
    • So You Want to Be an Artist
      The tradition of hands-on training in the arts is alive and well in Germany. Interested in studying visual, performance, or sound arts? Keen to pursue graphic and product design, textiles, or typography? Germany is home to many exceptional art schools as well as a rich history of excellence in and support for the arts.
    • Frankfurt's Skyscrapers: A Guide
      Frankfurt is known for banks and skyscrapers. So what is behind the colossal glass, steel, and stone facades of the city’s buildings? Meet Frankfurt’s tallest.
    • Conference - Pioneers on Dual Training Abroad
      Germany‘s system of dual training is one of the foundations of its economic strength.
    • The all-German final in Wembley
      Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund are playing in the final of the Champions League at London’s Wembley Stadium.
    • German first feature film in Cannes
      A directorial debut from Germany makes it to the competition “Un Certain Regard” at the famous film festival on the Côte d’Azur.
    News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
Little house in Spain
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Albatross Insurance
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.