Tel Aviv District Prosecution Charges Michael Shain With Rape

The Tel Aviv District Prosecution filed an indictment on Sunday with the Tel Aviv District Court against Michael Shain, 41, of Holon. He is accused of raping a woman he met with the intention of purchasing paid sex services.

According to the indictment, filed by attorney Tal Salgarnik, Shain contacted the woman on Telegram to arrange a meeting. The two met at a hotel in Bat Yam. After the woman provided him with sexual services and intended to leave the room, Shain allegedly attacked her with violence and raped her despite her shouting, resisting, and biting him.

Allegations of attempted choking and a second rape

The prosecution further alleges that Shain tried to choke the woman by pressing a pillow against her face. He allegedly removed it only after she promised to do what he wanted, and then raped her again while she continued to resist and bite him.

Theft, threats, and alleged efforts to obstruct proceedings

In addition, the indictment states that Shain stole the woman’s wallet containing 4,000 shekels and threatened her friend, who managed to call for help. The prosecution also alleges that he deleted the Telegram messages between himself and the woman in an effort to disrupt the course of the trial.

The indictment attributes to Shain offenses of rape, theft, threats, and obstruction of justice. The prosecution is asking that he be held in custody until the end of legal proceedings.

In its request, the prosecution says the acts were carried out against a woman who, by the nature of her work, was in a vulnerable situation, and that the defendant exploited that vulnerability to act violently, rape her, and steal her money. It also argues that the alleged conduct reflects uncontrolled sexual impulses, lack of restraint, and violence, indicating a high level of danger posed by him.