Key Points
- Walter Klen, 60, of Eynsham Road, Farmoor, Oxfordshire, is on trial at Oxford Crown Court
- The Oxfordshire man has denied all 17 charges of sexually assaulting two young girls
- 15 charges relate to a complainant aged 9-13 between 2003-2007 in Moreton-in-Marsh, Cotswolds
- Two charges concern another girl, aged around 12, in Chipping Norton around 2008
- Charges include indecent assault, sexual assault, attempted rape, and assault by penetration
- Klen moved to the UK from Brazil in 2003, according to prosecution barrister Richard Milne
- The defendant was arrested and interviewed in 2023, denying all allegations
- Prosecution opened the case on Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Oxford (Oxford Daily) June 04, 2026 – Farmoor, Oxfordshire, a 60-year-old Brazilian man named Walter Klen is standing trial at Oxford Crown Court where he has denied 17 charges of sexually assaulting two young girls, as reported by Oxford Mail. The alleged offences took place approximately 20 years ago, with the jury hearing opening statements on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
- Key Points
- What Specific Offences Are Included in the 17 Charges?
- When Did Walter Klen Move to the United Kingdom?
- What Did the First Complainant Allegedly Experience?
- What Other Alleged Incidents Did the Jury Hear About?
- What Did the Second Complainant Allegedly Experience?
- When Was Walter Klen Arrested and How Did He Respond?
- What Evidence Was Presented to the Jury?
- Background of This Development
- How This Development Affects Oxfordshire Families and Communities
As reported by Oxford Mail, prosecution barrister Richard Milne opened the case for the jury, detailing the extensive charges against Klen. The first 15 charges relate to a complainant who was aged between nine and 13 years old between 2003 and 2007, allegedly occurring in Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds. The remaining two charges concern another girl who was around 12 years old in approximately 2008, with these alleged incidents said to have taken place in Chipping Norton.
What Specific Offences Are Included in the 17 Charges?
The charges against Klen include a range of serious sexual offences under UK legislation, as outlined by prosecution barrister Richard Milne to the jury. According to Oxford Mail reporting, the offences include indecent assault, sexual assault, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, assault by penetration, attempted rape, and assault by touching.
As reported by Oxford Mail, the two charges relating to the second complainant both involve attempting to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity with a child. Mr. Milne explained to the jury that some of the counts are alternatives due to an overlap in legislation covering the alleged offences.
When Did Walter Klen Move to the United Kingdom?
According to prosecution barrister Richard Milne’s opening statement to the jury, Klen moved to the UK from Brazil in 2003, the same year the alleged abuse against the first complainant is said to have begun. This timing is significant as it establishes when Klen arrived in the country where the alleged offences allegedly took place.
As reported by Oxford Mail, Mr. Milne told the jury about Klen’s migration from Brazil to the United Kingdom, providing context for the timeline of the alleged offences. The defendant currently resides on Eynsham Road in Farmoor, Oxfordshire.
What Did the First Complainant Allegedly Experience?
As reported by Oxford Mail, prosecution barrister Richard Milne presented the first complainant’s account to the jury, stating:
“Her account is that she was sexually abused, that it went on for years. She said it started when she was quite young”.
The barrister detailed the complainant’s description of when the alleged abuse began.
According to Oxford Mail reporting, Klen is alleged to have been in a bedroom with the complainant and her sister during at least one incident. Mr. Milne told the jury: “She said he put on a porn film and lay on the bed naked, playing with himself”.
As reported by Oxford Mail, the prosecution stated that Klen allegedly asked the complainant to touch his private parts, and she was ‘scared’ and ‘didn’t know what to do’. On another occasion, the jury heard that Klen was wearing a dressing gown with nothing on underneath, and the complainant recalled him ‘touching himself’.
What Other Alleged Incidents Did the Jury Hear About?
Mr. Milne added to the jury that Klen allegedly made the complainant lay on the bed with him on top of her with the dressing gown open, as reported by Oxford Mail. The barrister stated that Klen allegedly wanted her to kiss his private parts.
As reported by Oxford Mail, Mr. Milne told the jury: “He brushed his penis against her private parts. She said it was a very odd feeling”. The prosecution stated that Klen allegedly described the contact as ‘just a game’. The jury also heard about several other alleged incidents of a similar nature throughout the proceedings.
What Did the Second Complainant Allegedly Experience?
The jury heard allegations regarding the second complainant, as reported by Oxford Mail. According to Mr. Milne’s opening statement, the second complainant alleged that Klen unzipped his trousers and placed her hand on his private parts. Both charges relating to this second complainant involve attempting to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity with a child, as stated by the prosecution barrister.
When Was Walter Klen Arrested and How Did He Respond?
As reported by Oxford Mail, Klen was arrested and interviewed in 2023 regarding the allegations. During this interview, the 60-year-old defendant denied all allegations made against him. His formal denial of the 17 charges was confirmed when he appeared at Oxford Crown Court.
What Evidence Was Presented to the Jury?
The jury was shown a video interview with the first complainant from 2023, as reported by Oxford Mail. In this recorded statement, she described the first incident she alleged took place. The complainant stated in the video: “At that point, I didn’t realise it was a bad thing, I just thought it was a game”.
This video evidence forms part of the prosecution’s case against Klen at Oxford Crown Court, according to Oxford Mail reporting. The use of recorded video interviews with child complainants is standard practice in UK sexual offence trials to preserve their testimony.
Background of This Development
This trial represents one of several sexual offence cases currently being heard at Oxford Crown Court in 2026, according to available court reporting. The alleged offences occurred approximately 20 years ago, between 2003 and 2008, making this a historical sexual offence case.
Walter Klen’s residence on Eynsham Road in Farmoor places him in Oxfordshire, west of Oxford city. Farmoor is a village near the River Thames and Farmoor reservoir, serving as Klen’s current address. The alleged offences took place in two different locations: Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds for the first 15 charges, and Chipping Norton for the final two charges.
The case involves historical allegations, with Klen arrested and interviewed in 2023, approximately 15-20 years after the alleged offences occurred. Historical sexual offence cases often involve complex investigations due to the passage of time, as reported in similar cases.
The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the evidence gathered before bringing the 17 charges against Klen, as is standard procedure in UK sexual offence cases. In such cases, the CPS must determine there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that prosecution serves the public interest.
Klen’s Brazilian nationality has been noted in court proceedings, though under UK law, nationality does not affect legal rights or the presumption of innocence. All defendants in British courts receive the same legal protections regardless of country of origin.
How This Development Affects Oxfordshire Families and Communities
This trial has significant implications for families with children in Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds, and surrounding areas where the alleged offences took place. The Moreton-in-Marsh and Chipping Norton communities, where the alleged incidents occurred, may experience heightened awareness about child safety following media coverage of the case.
For parents and guardians across Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds, this case highlights the importance of safeguarding children and maintaining open communication about personal safety. The case demonstrates that historical abuse can come to light many years later, which may encourage families to discuss past experiences with trusted adults.
The Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre provides support services for victims in the region, with a helpline available at 01865 725311 for those affected by sexual offences. Families in Oxfordshire, Farmoor, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Chipping Norton can access these support services if needed.
For the alleged victims and their families, the trial represents a challenging but necessary legal process that may bring closure or further trauma depending on the outcome. Victims of sexual offences in the UK receive support throughout court proceedings, including special measures to help them give evidence comfortably.
If Klen is convicted on any charges, he would face significant prison sentencing under UK sexual offence legislation and would be required to register as a sex offender for life. This would impact community safety perceptions in Farmoor and surrounding Oxfordshire areas.
The case also highlights Thames Valley Police’s ongoing commitment to investigating historical sexual offences and bringing perpetrators to justice, regardless of when the alleged crimes occurred. Police continue to encourage victims of sexual assault to come forward, citing the bravery of victims in previous Oxfordshire cases that led to successful prosecutions.
For the broader Oxfordshire community, this trial underscores the importance of child protection measures and the legal system’s role in addressing historical sexual abuse. The outcome will be closely watched by safeguarding professionals, child protection advocates, and families throughout the region.
