Woman ‘kept as sex slave by teens’ found handcuffed to balcony by neighbours | World | News

A woman was found by neighbours handcuffed to a balcony after allegedly being drugged and kept as a sex slave for months. Police confirmed four men, including two teenagers, have been charged in connection with the reported abuse.

The victim, a 33-year-old homeless woman, was spotted by a neighbour who initially believed she was a leftover Halloween decoration. However, she soon phoned the police before officers rushed to the scene and found the woman had been suffering from severe hypothermia. She also had bruises and wounds all over her body, with police saying the neighbour likely saved her life. The force believes she had been held captive from July to November 2025.

The woman was allegedly kept as a sex slave at a home in the city of Soest in western Germany. Police said the suspects lured her in with food and shelter before torturing her.

Detectives told SauerlandKurier: “The woman was kept like a slave in the cellar. Everything imaginable was done to her – and much more, even resulting in permanent disfigurement.”

Miriam Becker, a neighbour, told WDR: “I was very shocked that we as neighbours didn’t notice what was going on.” A second added: “She was definitely drugged.”

The victim spent several months in hospital after being rescued. The attackers, aged 16, 17, 24, and 29, have been charged with aggravated assault, trafficking in cannabis, and rape.

Detectives believe the victim may have been suffering from Stockholm syndrome. The pyschological response sees victims develop an emotional bond and loyalty toward their alleged abuser as a coping mechanism.

All four suspects are German nationals, with the 29-year-old already known to local police. They remain in custody ahead of their trial in October.

Soest is located around 50km east of Dortmund in the North Rhine-Westphalia part of Germany. It has a population of just under 50,000 people.