A religious studies teacher from Salford used his position as a ‘respected’ member of the community to sexually assault young girls – one victim was just seven-years-old when the abuse began – a sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court has heard.
Todros Grynhaus, 50, a prominent member of the Haredi Jewish community, was found guilty of five counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault after a trial at Manchester Crown Court in June.
In an attempt to evade justice, Mr Grynhaus fled to Israel using a false passport where he remained for a year and a half before he was deported back to the UK to face the charges against him.
Elizabeth Reed, Head of Crown Court Prosecutions for Greater Manchester said: “Todros Grynhaus was a respected man in the community and he was a teacher both in the UK and abroad.
“But behind this public image he systematically sexually abused two teenage girls over an extended period of time under the guise of showing them love and affection.”
Between 1996 and 2004, he sexually abused a girl from when she was seven to the age of 15 in the Salford area, and in 2004 he sexually abused another 15-year-old girl in the Salford area.
Detective Sergeant Joanne Kay said: “Grynhaus had gained the trust of his victims before sexually assaulting and abusing them.
“He thought he could get away with his crime but thanks to their bravery in coming forward and supporting this investigation, we have been able to prosecute him.”
Following a disclosure, police were contacted in November 2012 and an investigation was launched, but in February 2013, Grynhaus fled to Jerusalem.
He was then deported and arrested in September 2014.
Mrs Reed said:“The victims both disclosed the abuse to friends and relatives at the time but at that stage no report was made to the police.
“However, in 2012, the victims found the courage to report the abuse to the authorities and his past finally caught up with him.
Mrs Reed explained that getting Mr Grynhaus to admit his crime proved problematic after his return to the country.
“Grynhaus denied the allegations at trial and suggested they were simply a plot to damage him,” she said.
“I would like to pay tribute to the two victims for showing immense bravery in coming forward and standing up to their abuser, which has enabled us to bring this man to justice.
“The CPS and police urge anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the offences took place, to come forward and report it to the police, and we will support them in every way possible throughout the process.”
Police also appealed to victims to report any such incidents, urging victims not to suffer in silence.
DS Kay added: “I would also ask those who may be aware of such crimes taking place within their community to report them to police.
“All reports will be treated with the strictest of confidence.”
Anyone with information is asked to phone police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515.
People can also contact Manchester Rape Crisis’ confidential helpline on 0161 273 4500, or for their Black and Minority Ethnic helpline on 0161 273 4514.
