Man Impersonating Hospital Staff Gets 30 Months for Sex Offenses Against Minor

A Jerusalem Magistrate's Court sentenced Matan Shaul to 30 months in prison for sex offenses committed while impersonating a medical staff member at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. In addition to the prison term, Shaul received a nine-month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay 15,000 shekels in compensation to the minor victim.

Shaul was convicted based on his admission to a revised indictment, which included two counts of sexual assault by deception and one count of attempted sexual assault by deception. The indictment detailed how Shaul, dressed as medical personnel and equipped with a clipboard and papers from the nurses' station, moved through hospital departments at night. He approached patients, including a minor, performing sexual assaults under the guise of medical examinations.

During the sentencing arguments, the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office requested a harsher sentence of 45 months, emphasizing the planning involved, the targeting of three victims including a minor, and the breach of trust within a hospital setting. They also noted Shaul's lack of therapeutic treatment due to resource limitations and his own stance.

The court acknowledged that Shaul exploited the vulnerability and trust of patients. It specifically highlighted an incident where Shaul noticed bleeding from the minor's hand, called for medical staff, but then returned to the minor's room to continue his assault until the minor's father intervened. The court determined the harm to the minor was severe and could have long-lasting consequences.