Ashkelon dance instructor suspected of raping 3 girls

The man, 44, was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing, raping, girls between ages of 14, 15 over a period of 2 years.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
abuse_311 (photo credit: Courtesy (illustrative).)
abuse_311
(photo credit: Courtesy (illustrative).)
A 44-year-old Ashkelon man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of raping and sexually abusing three girls between the ages of 14 and 15.
The man, a youth dance instructor, was arrested following complaints by the girls who alleged the sexual abuse was committed during and after classes held by the instructor, throughout a period of two years.
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According to suspicions, the incidents occurred during private, solo dance lessons, which initially began with sexual abuse and then progressed to rape. In other incidents, the instructor committed sexual acts as he drove the girls to their home in his private vehicle.
Rehovot Police Chief Ofer Dagan said "he 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," in an interview on Wednesday with Army Radio.
"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.
The suspect denied the allegations and he will be brought to the Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court for an extension in his remand as police continue their investigation.