A pervert binman accused of raping a ten-year-old girl after breaking into a care home where she was later throttled to death has been seized by police.

The victim – named only as Lena – was strangled by an 11-year-old boy living at the same home in Wunsiedel, Bavaria State, Germany, just hours after the sex attack.

Refuse collector Daniel T., 25, has been charged with rape and burglary five months after the crime that took place at the St. Josef Children and Youth Welfare Centre on 4th April this year (2023).

Tragically Lena was only staying at the home for a few weeks while a court decided on whether she could live with her father.

Prosecutors say that binman – a career burglar – attacked Lena after breaking into the children’s home through a bathroom window.

They say Daniel T. left after the sickening sex attack and the 11-year-old – not named by local media – killed her.

Her body was discovered by a care home worker the following morning (April 4).

Prosecutors explained: “Trace results and forensic reports led the investigators to two suspects, aged 11 and 25, one after the other.

“After the intensive investigation, the 25-year-old is strongly suspected of having raped the ten-year-old.”

They continued: “With regard to the killing of the girl, the investigators and the public prosecutor assume that the 11-year-old boy killed her without the participation of the 25-year-old.

“The 25-year-old is said to have performed sexual acts with his hands on the ten-year-old. He is said to have left the facility afterwards.”

Lena had remained at the centre while other children went on a skiing holiday.

She was due to be reunited with her father for Easter and had been in the care home while a court decided on a custody hearing.

If found guilty, the 11-year-old faces no punishment as he is under the age of criminal responsibility.

He was identified after DNA evidence collected at the crime scene showed he was involved in her death.

Meanwhile, prosecutors said Daniel T. is in custody, adding: “During the course of the preliminary investigation, he largely confessed to the crimes he was accused of.”

One of Lena’s father’s neighbours – Sandra B., 33 – told German media: “She would have had the opportunity to go to her dad.

“I’m stunned, speechless. I’m lost for words. I can’t understand why it happened like this.

“And all that in a home where there should be supervision. Where, as a parent, you think everything is fine.”

Lena – said Sandra B. – was a “fun-loving, open-minded” girl and loved horses and playing the piano.

She said: “We did a lot, went to playgrounds, carved pumpkins for Halloween, went down the water slides in the amusement park.”

The Hof Public Prosecutor’s Office reported that the investigation is ongoing.

Lena died three weeks after Luise Frisch, 12, from Freudenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia State, Germany, was killed on a playdate with friends.

Her body was found in an embankment with more than 30 stab wounds.