The courts have rejected the appeal of an Ultra-Orthodox Beit Shemesh man who was sentenced to 17 years in prison and a 120,000 NIS fine based on his confession of showing his minor step-daughter obscene films, installing a hidden camera in her personal space, placing high-dose medications in her food without her knowledge and additional offenses.

The judges noted that the defendant’s actions were considered particularly grave, despite there not being evidence of ‘ordinary physical violence’. The defendant gained the minor’s trust and then robbed her of autonomy over her body, sentencing her to a life of humiliation.

In a conversation with his probation officer, the defendant accused his stepdaughter of provocative behavior and immodest dress, claiming this is what led him to commit the crimes. His now ex-wife testified about the severe damage his actions caused her daughter. She also said that during additional legal proceedings him he attempted to plan his suicide with her in order to avoid going to prison.

This is a summary of an article originally published on ‘Bchedri Haredim’. You can read the original report here.