Elderly German man arrested over hundreds of sexual abuse allegations

An 84-year-old man in Germany has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing several children over many years, with investigators alleging hundreds of offences, authorities announced on Thursday.

According to police and prosecutors in Stuttgart, the suspect is accused of forcing children to perform sexual acts both within a family setting and at a public swimming pool.

The investigation was reportedly triggered by an incident at a thermal spa in Stuttgart in February, where the man is alleged to have assaulted a 10-year-old child. 

Police detained him at the scene, and subsequent witness statements led authorities to expand the inquiry.

The suspect was formally taken into custody on Tuesday, and a court issued an arrest warrant the same day.

Prosecutors have not yet disclosed how long the alleged abuse took place or how many victims may be involved. Authorities have also withheld further details about the suspect.