Girl ‘kidnapped outside Harrods and sexually assaulted’ – court

The court heard that while the girl was with Mr Prussak, her family were searching for her in Harrods and gave a description of their daughter to staff, who searched their CCTV network for footage of her.

A police officer then arrived and showed the family an image of a man walking away with their daughter.

A search for the nine-year-old girl began, including of nearby shops and restaurants, and her image was circulated to museums and black cab drivers.

The court heard Mr Prussak and the girl were spotted walking past the Israeli embassy by a Metropolitan Police officer who had been informed that she was missing.

The officer approached Mr Prussak, who said he had spent the past three hours searching for police, the jury was told.

Mr Prussak was arrested at the scene on suspicion of kidnap and officers interviewed the girl before she was taken to hospital, where she was reunited with her family.

A urine sample was collected from her and was found to contain diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl – an antihistamine which typically causes drowsiness, jurors heard.

Mr Prussak denies all the charges against him. The trial continues.