Story By: Arian Movileanu, Sub-Editor: James King, Agency: Newsflash
An Israeli man has had a minor assault charge upgraded to rape after having sex with a 13-year-old girl in a public quarantine hotel.
Yarin Sherf, 21, was indicted on charges of forbidden sexual relations with an underage girl earlier this month sparking outrage from her family and the public.
He was isolated at the same COVID-19 quarantine hotel in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv as the girl, where he reportedly provided her with alcohol before having sex with her.
The hotel is designated for at-risk youths and recipients of welfare. At the time of assault it was used as a quarantine hotel.
After the suspect was charged with forbidden sexual relations, the victim’s mother said that it felt like her daughter had been raped again.
According to local media, prosecutors were reluctant to file charges of rape, despite rape being considered sex with someone under the age of 14 in Israel, because the victim said she was 14 and had consented to the encounter.
However, the decision sparked outrage among activists and prosecutors reviewed the evidence and concluded that a rape conviction was possible. He was also charged with sexual harassment, making threats, assault and supplying alcohol to a minor.
The indictment said Sherf arrived at the quarantine hotel on 23rd February and met the girl before continuing to speak over social media, despite the fact that she had initially told him she was not interested in a relationship with him as he was too old.
He had also been warned by a member of the hotel staff to stay away from her, but he was persistent and at one point threatened to organize a gang rape of the victim if she did not agree to a meeting with him.
After a while, he invited the teen to his room, but she suggested instead that he come to hers and the pair had sex, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors claimed that he slapped the victim when she refused to carry out oral sex on him, and several hours later, Sherf suggested meeting in her room again after the girl sent him a steamy snap and they reportedly had sex again.
A social worker knocked on the door and entered the teen’s room only to find the defendant hiding in her bathroom.
The social worker then reported the incident to the police.
Sherf will remain in custody until the proceedings are concluded.
It is unclear when the trial will be held.
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