A woman who claims she was sexually abused as a teenager by a strictly Orthodox teacher burst into tears in court as she described being ordered to “enjoy it” while she was molested.
The woman said she was attacked by Todros Grynhaus when she was aged between 14 and 15.
Mr Grynhaus, the son of a rabbi, was a respected member of the Charedi community in Salford.
It is alleged he inappropriately touched the girl in a hotel Jacuzzi on one occasion and on another forced her to perform a sex act on him, when he said: “It’s really not too bad. Give it a try.”
The woman described the attack to a jury at Manchester Crown Court this week where Mr Grynhaus is facing a retrial on five counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault. He denies the allegations.
Speaking through tears, she said: “He put his hands behind my shoulders and tried to force me and told me it was going to be nice. I was saying no. I really, really didn’t want it. I remember him trying again and again.”
Mr Grynhaus is accused of attacks on two teenage girls more than 10 years ago. The allegations began to surface in 2009 but matters were not reported to the police until November 2012.
After appearing in court and being granted bail, Grynhaus fled to Israel in 2013 using a false passport and then produced further false documents claiming to be a resident of Guinea.
He was deported back to the UK last year to face trial.
The alleged victim added: “I didn’t want to report it to the police. I didn’t want to take it this far… but I realised if I don’t come forward and tell the police I don’t know how many other children are at harm.
“I don’t think anybody would make something up like this. It’s sick, it’s absolutely disgusting. I didn’t think this would happen. I don’t want to be stood here now. He is a complete psychopath.”
Asked by Jonathan Goldberg QC, on behalf of Mr Grynhaus, why she did not report matters to the police sooner, the woman said: “I didn’t think about it. I was getting married. He had ruined my life already. I wanted to put it to bed.”
Mr Goldberg replied: “Perhaps this story of abuse has been a convenient crutch for you to explain your marital difficulties.”