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Jewish Teacher Rabbi David Kramer Jailed for Abuse of Four Yeshiva College Students

By Shannon Deery
Daily Telegraph
July 24, 2013

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/jewish-teacher-jailed-for-abuse/story-fnii5smt-1226684588745

A JEWISH teacher who committed "unforgivable" crimes on four students at an orthodox Melbourne school has been jailed for a maximum of three years and four months.

But father of 11 Rabbi David Kramer could walk free from prison after just three months because of time already served in pre-sentence detention.

The 53-year-old paedophile is believed to be the first member of a Jewish institution in Australia to have admitted - and been sentenced for - child sex crimes.

The sentence was welcomed by victims, who said while it was lower than they had hoped, justice had been served.

Kramer pleaded guilty to molesting four boys while teaching at Yeshiva College in the early 1990s before fleeing to the US, where he was jailed for further offending.

The County Court heard yesterday the offending started shortly after Kramer arrived at the college in 1989 and continued until 1991.

Judge Michael Bourke said the prolonged offending had seriously betrayed the trust of children who had seen Kramer as a popular figure.

"Sexual offences against vulnerable children are extremely serious crimes," he said. "Your offending remains a serious and unforgivable betrayal of children's trust and of their regard for you.

"You exploited your position and power."

The court heard the offending was not reported to police until years after the allegations were first raised with the school's executive.

A plea hearing heard then principal Rabbi Abraham Glick did not take immediate action despite the father of two victims making a complaint.

It was alleged Kramer had made partial admissions but Rabbi Glick, who is still employed at the college, did not act because he was concerned for his welfare.

It was not until more complaints were made that the school's executive helped organise for Kramer to go to Israel, using college funds.

After fleeing to Israel, Kramer returned to his native US, where he was sentenced to a lengthy jail term for molesting a 12-year-old. He unsuccessfully fought extradition by Victoria Police after becoming eligible for parole last year, and was returned to Melbourne in December.

After originally indicating he would contest them, Kramer pleaded guilty to five charges of indecent assault and one of committing an indecent act with a person under 16.

In a statement to the Herald Sun, current Yeshiva College principal Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler unreservedly apologised for Kramer not being reported to police.

Kramer was sentenced to a non-parole period of 18 months' jail. He has already served 457 days.

Contact: Shannon.deery@news.com.au

 

 

 

 

 




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