Jury finds Shay John Bester guilty of offences including rape

Friday, 6 February 2026 17:51

Shay John Bester has been found guilty, after going on trial for offences including six counts of rape against three young, vulnerable females.

The 50-year-old built the trust of the young survivors and then controlled them through manipulation and coercion.

States of Jersey Police have been investigating his crimes for more than three and a half years.

Two of the survivors contacted officers after seeing media coverage that Bester had been charged with sexual offences in September 2022.

It was revealed he had lured a teenager to Jersey, arranging her travel to stay with him, after grooming her online over a period of time.

She was abused over several days before disclosing her ordeal to the police.

READ: Man Guilty Of Rape And People Trafficking

He was sentenced in August 2023 to more than a decade and a half for the crimes against the initial person who came forward, for offences including trafficking, rape, and impersonating a police officer.

This led to a third survivor reporting her experiences.

DC Elianne Jones, who led the case, says the young females who came forward have shown exceptional bravery and resilience.

"Each has faced significant personal challenges in coming forward, and each has had to revisit deeply traumatic experiences.

"The long‑term impact of these offences has affected every aspect of their lives in different ways.

"It required remarkable courage for all three individuals to stand before the court and give their evidence, and we commend them for their strength."

Bester was found guilty of 10 counts:

Six counts of rape
Two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse
One count of procuring an act of gross indecency
And, one count of assault.

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