Former German international Christoph Metzelder's trial on child pornography charges began on Thursday and concluded swiftly with a suspended prison sentence.
Metzelder's trial took place in Dusseldorf, where prosecutors allege that he is guilty of possessing and distributing illicit images of minors.
The case against him alleged that 297 pornographic files were sent via WhatsApp to three women, containing content of children or teens.
Metzelder
Metzelder received a suspended prison sentence of ten months.
"I took screenshots of incriminating images on freely accessible websites and talked about extreme fantasies in chats," Metzelder said.
"There were no attacks on children or young people and none were planned, despite the extreme comments in chats.
It all took place in a parallel digital world."
Metzelder added that he forwarded the images on to the women "even though I knew what unspeakable suffering was behind them, and despite my charitable work with children.
"I accept the punishment and I ask for forgiveness from the victims of sexual violence. I will have to live with this guilt as part of society for the rest of my life."
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