Jail for depraved man who travelled to Bedford to rape a child

A man who flew from the US to Bedford after arranging to rape a child has been jailed for more than 11 years.
In February last year, Rahamim Shy, 47, a former advisor to the US Government travelled from his home in New York after arranging online to meet a young girl for sex.
Shy had set up the meeting after months of correspondence, however, unbeknown to him, the girl did not exist. He described the girl’s age of nine as a “tad late” to start sexual activity, and that it was an “honour” to be considered “her first”.
Shy then travelled to England on 23 February 2024 via Gatwick Airport before driving to Bedford.
An in-depth investigation and operation carried out by Bedfordshire Police’s Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team (ICAIT), meant Shy was arrested when he arrived.
Depraved messages
Before trial, the defence argued that Shy was in the USA at the time of the messaging and, therefore was jurisdictionally exempt from prosecution.
However, prosecutors with CPS Thames and Chiltern successfully argued that English courts have jurisdiction to try offences committed abroad that are intended to result in criminal offences in England.
That defence was subsequently abandoned.
At trial, the prosecution used extensive digital and physical evidence to prove Shy’s intent to commit sexual offences against the girl.
His depraved messages were laid bare, as were recorded voice messages and calls. He too attempted to erase messages on a specific messaging app shortly after arriving in the UK.
On arrest, officers located cuddly toys and condoms in Shy’s luggage. The prosecution argued the items demonstrated a clear intent to win the child over before abusing her.
Guilty
He was found guilty on Wednesday (29 January) of arranging the commission of a child sex offence – namely rape and possessing indecent photographs of a child following a trial at Luton Crown Court. He was found not guilty of possessing a prohibited image of a child.
He was sentenced to 11 years and six months.
Investigating officer David Paton, from ICAIT, said: “Shy is a predator who had clear intentions of raping and abusing a child.
“Child sexual abuse will not be tolerated in Bedfordshire and we’re committed to tackling offenders to prevent them from causing further harm.
“In this case, the child fortunately did not exist, but the immediate threats remain the same, and we work tirelessly to identify predators who pose a risk to our society.”
Lorraine Telford, of the Crown Prosecution Service, added: “Rahamim Shy is a predator who was fully prepared to commit unspeakable acts against a child for his own sexual gratification.
“It was clear from his explicit conversations and items he brought to England that he had only one intention, to commit rape against what he knew was a vulnerable child.
“The fact the child in this case did not exist makes no difference, and it is a credit to the police operation and subsequent prosecution that Shy will no longer pose an immediate threat.
“All children have the right to feel safe and protected and I hope this conviction sends a clear message that the CPS, working closely alongside law enforcement, will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who seek to sexually exploit children.”
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