RAHAMIM SHY, US EX-ADVISOR, SENTENCED IN BEDFORD FOR CHILD RAPE PLOT

A man with a notable background as a former adviser to the United States government has been convicted and sentenced to prison for a disturbing child sex offence in Bedford. Rahamim Shy, aged 47, traveled from New York to the UK with the explicit intention of engaging in sexual acts with a girl he believed to be just nine years old. His journey to Bedford was meticulously planned over more than a month, culminating in his arrival at Gatwick Airport on February 23, 2024. From there, he drove to Bedford, where authorities swiftly apprehended him.

The case was built on evidence gathered through covert operations, including online communications with an individual posing as the girl’s grandmother, who was actually an undercover officer from Bedfordshire Police. These exchanges revealed Shy's disturbing intentions and detailed descriptions of acts he wished to commit. He openly discussed the girl’s age, referring to her as “a tad late” to start sexual activity, and expressed a belief that it was an “honor” to be considered her “first.”

During the investigation, officers discovered that Shy had brought with him items such as cuddly toys and condoms, which the prosecution argued indicated premeditation and an attempt to gain the girl’s trust before abusing her. His mobile phone contained indecent images of children and messages that explicitly detailed his sexual interests in minors. These pieces of evidence painted a clear picture of his intentions and mindset.

At Luton Crown Court, Shy was found guilty of multiple charges, including arranging to commit a child sex offence, specifically rape, and possessing indecent photographs of a child. The court sentenced him to 11 years and six months in prison. Lorraine Telford, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, described Shy as a predator who was fully prepared to commit heinous acts against a child for his own gratification. She emphasized that his explicit conversations and the items he brought to England demonstrated a singular purpose: to carry out a sexual assault on a vulnerable child, regardless of the fact that the child was a fictitious persona created for the operation.

Shy’s defense argued that because he was in the United States at the time of the messaging, he was exempt from jurisdiction in the UK. However, the prosecution successfully argued that English courts have the authority to try offences committed abroad if they are intended to result in criminal acts within England. Notably, Shy was acquitted of possessing a prohibited image of a child, but his conviction for conspiracy and planning to commit a child sex offence stands.

It is worth mentioning that Rahamim Shy previously held a prominent role as an international investment banker and served as a senior adviser for Pakistan and Afghanistan during the Obama administration. His criminal conviction in Bedford marks a significant fall from his previous professional stature, highlighting the serious nature of his criminal conduct and the vigilance of law enforcement agencies in protecting children from such predators.