A mini crime spree

Via Mugged by reality, via Blognorregis we have this story in the Jerusalem Post:

Two intoxicated female British tourists who were sexually assaulted by their Jerusalem Arab taxi driver fended him off with blows which left him hospitalized, police said Tuesday.

The incident, which took place late Sunday night, began after the two tourists, who are in their 20's, were picked up by the driver from the city's popular Underground Disco and asked to be driven to the youth hostel in the Jerusalem community of Shoresh.

On the way, the driver pulled over on a darkened patch of the road, and started to commit an indecent sexual act on one of the tourists, police said.

The two fought back, beating the driver and even damaging his cab.

The surprised driver – who was so badly beaten that he required medical treatment at Jerusalem's Hadassah University Hospital at Ein Kerem – was placed under arrest.

He was later released on bail.

The two tourists involved in the incident were questioned by police, and are still in Israel, police said.

I can't help but wonder how this incident would have been dealt with over here in the UK. Being so distant and, of course, not having all the facts it would be easy for me to judge harshly but I gotta say it looks like a mini crime spree. Sexual assault, grievous bodily harm (or perhaps actual bodily harm), criminal damage and, perhaps, something to do with being drunk for good measure. Lots of arrestable offences, all in such an enclosed area. Bargain.

Posted by John at December 7, 2004 08:54 AM | TrackBack