A MAN has gone on trial accused of grooming a teenage girl from the UK online before luring her to Jersey and sexually exploiting her.
Shay John Edward Bester (47) appeared in court yesterday facing seven charges: one count of trafficking, two of rape, three of assault and one count of sexual penetration without consent.
Mr Bester first met his victim in an online chat room, where he sought to establish an emotional connection in order to gain her trust, according to the prosecution.
In court documents it was claimed that Mr Bester paid for an all-expenses trip for the victim to stay at his St Helier flat, isolating her from family and friends.
Bester is accused of giving his victim vodka straight from the bottle on the first night in his flat, before allegedly raping her that same night.
The prosecution also said that Bester had no regard for the teenage girl’s welfare.
During the victim’s time in Jersey, Bester allegedly used violence to force the girl to engage in indecent sexual fetishes.
Crown Advocate Matthew Maletroit was prosecuting, while Advocate Ian Jones was defending.
The trial continues.
