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Sex abuser's name removed from Trafalgar Square giant menorah

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The name of a strictly Orthodox man who abused a schoolgirl has been removed from one of the community's largest public menorahs.

Organisers of the Chanucah in the Square event confirmed they had agreed to cover the plaque carrying Menachem Mendel Levy's name once they were made aware of it.

Father-of-six Levy was sentenced to three years in jail for two counts of sexual assault in 2013.

But his name had remained on the giant Chanuciah used for event in London’s Trafalgar Square for the past three years despite his conviction.

Yehudis Goldsobel was 14 years old when Levy first abused her. Following his conviction she waived her anonymity to tell her story in the JC .

Levy, a builder, had designed, built and presented the Chanuciah before his conviction.

Ms Goldsobel said she felt "uncomfortable" when she attended the celebration last Thursday.

In a Facebook post, she wrote: “I absolutely love Chanucah and tend to participate in communal events and lightings. The big event in Trafalgar Square has a fantastic atmosphere and vibe. Yet the actual Menorah was designed by the person who sexually abused me as a teenager.

“He was convicted in court and sentenced to prison yet his name is still on the massive plaque on the menorah.”

A spokesman for the event organisers - the Jewish Leadership Council, London Jewish Forum, Chabad, and the Mayor of London's Office - said: “It was covered up on Friday."

JLC chief executive Simon Johnson said: “I can confirm that the plaque has been covered up. We deeply regret the delay and apologise unreservedly for any offence caused.”

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