Detectives given more time to quiz rabbi (From Times Series)

Detectives given more time to quiz Orthodox Jewish rabbi from Golders Green over sex abuse allegations

3:22pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in News By Chris Hewett

Detectives have been given another 36 hours to question a senior rabbi and three others over sex abuse allegations.

Rabbi Chaim Halpern, of the Divrei Chaim Orthodox synagogue in Golders Green, was among four men detained on Wednesday morning.

The arrests came as part of an investigation into a sex abuse scandal within the Orthodox Jewish community.

The investigation was launched following numerous complaints about a marriage counselling service being run at the Divrei Chaim synagogue.

Rabbi Halpern, 54, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and perverting the cause of justice.

Three others, aged 25, 62 and 64, were arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Police are given 48 hours to question suspects, after which time they must be released or charged, but officers can request additional time in exceptional circumstances.

The Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, an umbrella organisation overseeing more than 100 Orthodox synagogues in north London, has so far declined to comment on the rabbi’s arrest.