Chain Snatcher in Jaffa: Rode Scooter, Assaulted Women, Sentenced to Prison

A magistrate's court sentenced Nimer Al-Basal to 26 months in prison for two robberies of women in Jaffa. He violently attacked them, tore gold chains from their necks, and fled on an electric scooter. The judge took into account his confession and the payment of 20,000 shekels in compensation.

A magistrate's court sentenced Nimer Al-Basal to 26 months in prison for two robberies of women in Jaffa. According to the amended indictment, last October he spotted a woman walking on Mivtza Kadesh Street in Jaffa, rode an electric scooter with his face hidden by a black shirt, grabbed her, tore the gold chains from her neck, and fled. About fifteen minutes later, in the same area, he attacked another woman with a punch to the chest, tore a gold chain, and fled. The prosecution sought 30 months in prison and activation of a suspended sentence, arguing that the crimes harmed women's right to walk safely. The defense cited a plea deal due to evidentiary difficulties, argued the violence bordered between theft and robbery, and mentioned his drug addiction as a factor. Judge Shmuel Melamed ruled that the two acts constitute a single event, emphasized the harm to the sense of security, and rejected the addiction claim. He considered the defendant's confession and compensation payment, but also his criminal past and the suspended sentence that did not deter him. In addition to imprisonment, a fine of 3,000 shekels and compensation of 10,000 shekels to each complainant were imposed.