Local News

Tiverton to be twinned with Leipzig, Germany

Tiverton town council first approached the German city after it was reported that a German couple were trying to overturn the country's ban on incest on the grounds of discrimination.

The German couple, Patrick Stuebing and Susan Karolewski, started their case after the authorities placed their first son, Eric, in the care of a foster family, and their two other children were also placed in care.

"People have said that our children are disabled, but that is wrong. They are not disabled. Eric, our eldest child, has epilepsy, he also has learning difficulties. Our other daughter, Sarah, has special needs," said Patrick, knocking holes in his own case.

"Many criminal law experts say that we are right and I'm confident that my clients will win their case." said the couple's lawyer, Endrik Wilhelm. "The law against incest is based on very old moral principles. The law was abolished in France, it's about time it should be scrapped here in Germany as well."

A German City and an English town, truly two of a kind.

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