91-year-old Australian man ‘innocent’ of Thai rape

A 91-year-old WA man who is charged with raping four young sisters in Thailand has protested his innocence, speaking out for the first time since his arrest eight months ago.

Karl Joseph Kraus is accused of luring the girls – one of whom was five when the alleged abuse began – to his home near the northern city of Chiang Mai with chocolates and English lessons.

Mr Kraus, who is in Thailand awaiting trial, said yesterday he had spoken out because he believed the Thai authorities were dragging out his case.

The West Australian