A court in Israel has sentenced a man to life in prison for raping and murdering his ex-wife’s 12-year-old daughter.

The Tel Aviv District Court sentenced Tesfebarhan Tesfasion to life plus 15 years for the rape and premeditated murder of Sylvana Tsegai in the city in 2018.

The Eritrean migrant confessed to raping his ex-wife’s young daughter and strangling her to death as she tried to fight back.

Following the crime, the suspect fled, but was apprehended two days later. He has remained in detention since.

Tesfasion was married to the victim’s mother for two years, during which time he physically abused her.

He carried out his attack on her daughter shortly after the couple divorced and his ex cut off contact with him. Tsegai had just arrived home from school and was alone in her apartment while her mum was still at work.

He broke in and proceeded to lock the apartment and building entrance so no one could reach her.

Tesfasion, who entered Israel through Egypt in 2010, was known to the Israeli authorities for previous offences.

The case is now closed.

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