Suspected rapist
Dance instructor suspected of raping 3 girls
Rehovot Police chief says 43-year-old Ashkelon man 'took advantage of his authority as their teacher'; estimates more girls will come forward
A 43-year-old dance instructor from Ashkelon is suspected of sexually assaulting and raping three of his female students over a two-year period, Ynet learned Wednesday.
"When he touched me I froze. I was in shock. He kissed me, and pressed up against me from behind," said one of the girls who were harassed.
"I tried to tell him to stop a few times, but it didn't help," another victim told the police. "I understood that he wouldn't leave me alone. He was obsessive in a sick way, he would call and send messages. I knew it wouldn't stop."
The suspect denied the allegations and he will be brought to the Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court for an extension in his remand.
Rehovot Police Chief Ofer Dagan told Army Radio that the dance instructor "took advantage of his authority as their teacher and promised the girls that they would perform in solos during performances if they let him carry out his schemes on them."
"He had private lessons with the girls and took advantage of those lessons in order to sexually assault the girls and carry out other acts," he added.
According to the investigation, the suspect would also sexually assault the girls while giving them a ride home after class.
The girls, aged 13-15, were ashamed and kept the abuse a secret until Monday night, a police official said, adding "after one of the girls told her parents we were able to reach the two others."
Dagan said he believed more girls will complain against the instructor now that he has been arrested.
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