Jewish teacher David Kramer jailed for sexually assaulting boys at Yeshiva College
Shannon Deery
Herald Sun
24 July 2013
Father of 11, David Kramer, has been jailed for child sex crimes.
A JEWISH teacher who committed "unforgivable" crimes on four students at a 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 convicted paedophile is believed to be the first member of Jewish institution in Australia to have admitted, and been sentenced for, child sex crimes.
The sentence has been welcomed by victims who said while it was lower than they had hoped, justice had been served.
Kramer pleaded guilty to molesting four young boys while teaching at ultra-orthodox Yeshiva College in the 1990s before fleeing to the US where he was jailed for further offending.
The County Court heard today the offending started shortly after Kramer arrived at the college in 1989 and continued until the end of 1991.
Judge Michael Bourke said the prolonged offending had seriously betrayed the trust of children who had seen Kramer as a popular figure around the school.
"Sexual offences against vulnerable children are extremely serious crimes," he said.
"Your offending remains a serious and unforgiveable betrayal of children's trust and of their regard for you.
"You exploited your position and power. Your community trusted you with these children. You were entrusted with their care."
The court heard the offending was not reported to police until years after the allegations were first raised with the school's executive.
An earlier plea hearing heard then principal Rabbi Glick did not take immediate action despite the father of two victims making a complaint.
It was alleged Kramer made partial admissions to abusing students but Rabbi Glick, who is still employed at the college, did not act because he was concerned for his welfare.
It wasn't until more complaints were made that the school's executive helped organise for Kramer to go to Israel, using college funds.
Judge Bourke said it was not for him to pass judgment on how the school handled the complaints.
After fleeing to Israel Kramer returned to his native US where he was later sentenced to a lengthy jail term for molesting a 12-year-old student.
He unsuccessfully fought extradition attempts by Victoria Police after becoming eligible for parole last year and was returned to Melbourne in December.
After originally indicating he would contest charges laid against him Kramer pleaded guilty to five charges of indecent assault and one of committing an indecent act with a person under 16.
Manny Waks, founder of Jewish child sexual abuse victim advocacy group Tzedek, today welcomed the sentence as a step in the right direction for abuse victims.
But he said Yeshiva College had blood on its hands and called for school leaders to issue an immediate apology to Kramer's victims.
He said the school must also be held to account and forced to explain why it allowed Kramer to go overseas where he reoffended.
Kramer was sentenced to a non-parole period of 18 months imprisonment. He has already served 457 days in pre-sentence detention.
The Herald Sun has asked Yeshiva College to comment on the case.
Originally published at Herald Sun.
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 convicted paedophile is believed to be the first member of Jewish institution in Australia to have admitted, and been sentenced for, child sex crimes.
The sentence has been welcomed by victims who said while it was lower than they had hoped, justice had been served.
Kramer pleaded guilty to molesting four young boys while teaching at ultra-orthodox Yeshiva College in the 1990s before fleeing to the US where he was jailed for further offending.
The County Court heard today the offending started shortly after Kramer arrived at the college in 1989 and continued until the end of 1991.
Judge Michael Bourke said the prolonged offending had seriously betrayed the trust of children who had seen Kramer as a popular figure around the school.
"Sexual offences against vulnerable children are extremely serious crimes," he said.
"Your offending remains a serious and unforgiveable betrayal of children's trust and of their regard for you.
"You exploited your position and power. Your community trusted you with these children. You were entrusted with their care."
The court heard the offending was not reported to police until years after the allegations were first raised with the school's executive.
An earlier plea hearing heard then principal Rabbi Glick did not take immediate action despite the father of two victims making a complaint.
It was alleged Kramer made partial admissions to abusing students but Rabbi Glick, who is still employed at the college, did not act because he was concerned for his welfare.
It wasn't until more complaints were made that the school's executive helped organise for Kramer to go to Israel, using college funds.
Judge Bourke said it was not for him to pass judgment on how the school handled the complaints.
After fleeing to Israel Kramer returned to his native US where he was later sentenced to a lengthy jail term for molesting a 12-year-old student.
He unsuccessfully fought extradition attempts by Victoria Police after becoming eligible for parole last year and was returned to Melbourne in December.
After originally indicating he would contest charges laid against him Kramer pleaded guilty to five charges of indecent assault and one of committing an indecent act with a person under 16.
Manny Waks, founder of Jewish child sexual abuse victim advocacy group Tzedek, today welcomed the sentence as a step in the right direction for abuse victims.
But he said Yeshiva College had blood on its hands and called for school leaders to issue an immediate apology to Kramer's victims.
He said the school must also be held to account and forced to explain why it allowed Kramer to go overseas where he reoffended.
Kramer was sentenced to a non-parole period of 18 months imprisonment. He has already served 457 days in pre-sentence detention.
The Herald Sun has asked Yeshiva College to comment on the case.
Originally published at Herald Sun.