The father of a nine-year-old girl who was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted by an American pilot outside Harrods in London feared that his daughter had been abducted, a court heard. The incident took place on 22 April last year when the girl became separated from her family during a trip to London from France. The American pilot, Robert Prussak, 57, approached the girl outside the department store and walked away with her to his apartment, where he spent almost two hours before leaving and walking through central London. He was later arrested outside the Israeli embassy in west London.
The girl’s father recounted how he initially thought his daughter was lost, but when shown a photo of her walking away with a man he did not recognize, he feared she had been abducted. The family had spent the day visiting various London landmarks before stopping at Harrods. Upon realizing that their daughter was missing, they panicked and sought help from the staff and security at the store.
The mother of the girl described the moment when police showed her the photo of her daughter with the stranger as extremely stressful. The girl herself testified that she felt sad but not crying when she got separated from her parents. She also mentioned feeling tired after drinking water provided by Prussak in his flat, although she did not find the taste of the water strange and had not taken any medication that day.
Prussak is facing charges of kidnapping, drugging, and sexually assaulting the girl, which he denies. The charges include sexual assault of a child under 13, kidnapping, committing an offense with intent to commit a sexual offense, and administering a substance with intent. The trial is ongoing at Isleworth Crown Court.
This disturbing case highlights the importance of vigilance and safety when traveling with children, especially in crowded public places. Parents should always keep a close eye on their children and have a plan in case they get separated. It also serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that lurk in unexpected situations and the importance of teaching children about stranger danger and how to stay safe. Such incidents underscore the need for communities to work together to protect the most vulnerable members and prevent such crimes from happening.
