Updated 01/22/2013 06:33 PM
Orthodox Jewish Counselor Gets 103-Year Sentence For Child Sex Abuse
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An unlicensed religious counselor was sentenced Tuesday to 103 years behind bars for sexually abusing a girl in a case that put a spotlight on Brooklyn's orthodox Jewish community.
Nechemya Weberman, 54, was convicted in December of sustained sexual abuse of a child and other charges.
Once a respected figure, Weberman spent decades working with couples and families in the Satmar Hasidic sect.
Weberman denied claims he abused his accuser for three years, starting when she was 12 years old.
He was later convicted on all counts.
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said he hopes the sentence will compel other victims to go to authorities.
"I also hope that it will convince people in communities across Brooklyn that they have a moral, if not legal obligation to come forward and to identify people charged with child abuse," Hynes said. "And maybe if that happens, maybe molesters will understand they're not going to be shielded."
Weberman declined to speak at Tuesday's sentencing.