Court remands teacher suspected of sexually abusing 2nd graders

The Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court extends the remand of Shaul Shamai, the substitute teacher suspected of molesting and sexually harassing second grade girls at a local elementary school.

Judge Hayuta Kochan denies the defense team’s request that Shamai be released to house arrest, saying the number of girls who have complained that he sexually abused them has risen from 4 to 10 since the start of his trial last month.

She also says Shamai has actively tried to disrupt the police investigation into the suspected abuse, and intentionally concealed his criminal past in order to work at the northern Tel Aviv elementary school.

“This is a sophisticated criminal who knowingly concealed the fact that he had been convicted of a similar sex offense in order to pave the way for him to be in close proximity to minors.

Kochan orders Shamai held in custody for another week.