Girl ‘kidnapped outside Harrods and sexually assaulted’, court says

The court heard that while the girl was with Mr Prussak, her family searched for her at Harrods and gave a description of their daughter to staff, who searched the CCTV network for images of her.

A police officer then arrived and showed the family an image of a man leaving with his daughter.

A search began for the nine-year-old girl, including in nearby shops and restaurants, and her image was circulated to museums and black cab drivers.

The court heard that Prussak and the girl were seen passing the Israeli embassy by a Metropolitan police officer who had been told she was missing.

The officer approached Mr Prussak, who said he had spent the last three hours looking for police, the jury was told.

Prussak was arrested at the scene on suspicion of kidnapping and officers interviewed the girl before she was taken to hospital, where she was reunited with her family.

A urine sample was taken from her and found to contain diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl – an antihistamine that normally causes drowsiness, jurors heard.

Mr. Prussak denies all allegations against him. The trial continues.