Prosecutors seek longer prison term for ex-Wolfson doctor convicted of rape
The State Attorney's Office argues a six-year sentence fails to account for the specific trust abused by a senior physician.
By Sanjay Caldwell ·
State prosecutors filed an appeal on Tuesday against the six-year prison sentence handed to a former senior physician at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon. The State Attorney's Office contends that the punishment imposed by the Tel Aviv District Court in September does not fully reflect the severity of the sexual offenses committed between 2010 and 2021. The prosecution is asking the High Court of Justice to substantially increase the term.
Levin was convicted in February after pleading guilty to an amended indictment. The charges included rape, five counts of committing an indecent act, and abuse of official authority. The court also ordered him to pay 750,000 new Israeli shekels in compensation to four victims. That money was deposited into a court account before the sentencing hearing concluded. Levin previously led the pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition unit at the hospital.
The case details specific acts of exploitation tied to Levin's medical role. He raped the mother of a child he was treating after inviting her to his office to collect medical documents. Prosecutors stated that he committed indecent acts against two other patients during or after their appointments. One of those victims was 16 years old at the time of the incident. A third charge stemmed from invasive examinations performed on a patient without her informed consent or the consent of her mother.
Noa Kasir Pat, a prosecutor in the State Attorney's Office's Criminal Department, argued that the District Court did not give enough weight to the specific gravity of sexual crimes committed by a doctor. She noted that Levin exploited the trust placed in him and took advantage of the victims' dependence on medical care. The original prosecution sought a minimum prison sentence of 13 years for the entire case.
In the appeal, prosecutors pointed out that the six-year sentence for all offenses combined was at the lower end of the range requested for the rape charge alone. They emphasized that the acts were repeated over a decade and that Levin created conditions allowing him to commit the offenses. The appeal cites victim-impact reports describing severe psychological harm and difficulties with daily functioning. One victim now avoids essential examinations due to fear, while another struggles to receive routine care from male doctors.
The District Court acknowledged the gravity of the crimes and the harm caused to the victims when it rendered its judgment in September. The judges also considered mitigating factors, including Levin's age, lack of prior convictions, his admission of guilt, and expressions of remorse. The prosecution argues that Levin's admission came late in the case, after the victims had already testified. They claim the court recognized the aggravating circumstances but failed to reflect them adequately in the final punishment.
The appeal further argues that such offenses damage public trust in the medical system beyond the harm to individual victims. Prosecutors maintain that the punishment must reflect this broader damage and serve as a clear deterrent. The High Court of Justice will now review the case to determine if the sentence should be adjusted.
The former doctor remains in custody while the appeal is processed. The victims' compensation remains deposited as ordered by the District Court. No new trial has been scheduled, only a review of the sentencing.
