A backpacker falsely accused of killing his girlfriend and dumping her naked corpse 18 years ago is to receive GBP 100,000 compensation.
Prosecutors in Australia dropped the charges against Tobias Friedrich Moran, 43, that had been hanging over him for nearly a year.
Now magistrates in Lismore, New South Wales, have ordered prosecutors to pay German national Moran AUD 190,000 (GBP 99,406) in legal costs.
Magistrate Philip Stewart in Lismore Local Court ruled on 11th October that the costs must be paid by 8th November.
Victim Simone Strobel’s stripped body was found hidden under leaves at a sports ground at Lismore in February 2005.
Moran was arrested in July 2022 and charged with the murder of the 25-year-old kindergarten teacher and perverting the course of justice.
But, a year later, prosecutors at Lismore Local Court said he would no longer face any charges.
They cited an upcoming coroner’s hearing where new evidence about how Simone died was to be revealed, reported local media.
A prosecution spokesperson said at the time: “The ODPP [The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions] notes the possibility of future coronial proceedings and makes no further comment.”
Moran and Simone had been camping in the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park, just 100 metres from where her body was found six days after she vanished.
The two backpackers had arrived in Australia in 2004, along with Moran’s sister Katrin Suckfuell, and friend Jens Martin.
After the trial about-face, Moran’s wife Samantha said: “It was the right decision.
“Tobi, I, and our whole family are extremely relieved.
“I’m deeply ashamed that this happened to Simone in Australia, a visitor to our country who Tobi has always described as an angel on Earth.
“I know that there is not a day that goes by that Tobi doesn’t think about Simone and wishes that he had stopped her from walking away that night.
“Tobi continues to be traumatised by the loss of Simone as well as the speculations surrounding him.
“Whilst today’s news is a relief for our family, we are conscious that this news does not give answers to the Strobel family.”
Simone’s father, Gustl Strobel, said the court’s decision to drop the case had “knocked the ground” from under his feet.
He said at the time: “It’s like a stab in my heart. The authorities in Australia make such a fuss, and then nothing comes of it.”
