Courts / Dublin / Report

'Safest option' turned out be 'worst nightmare', victim of taxi driver rapist tells court

Date
2024-07-01

Stage
Finding

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, two young women testified that they were raped by Dublin taxi driver Raymond Shorten, who had previously been convicted of serious sexual offences. Both victims had taken taxis after nights out, believing it was the safest option, but were assaulted by Shorten. One victim, who had been drinking five pints of cider, was taken to the back seat where he raped her anally and vaginally, leaving her with a sore, disorienting experience. The second victim fell asleep in the taxi and was raped upon waking, after which Shorten demanded a €70 fare. Shorten denied the assaults, claiming the encounters were consensual. DNA evidence linked him to both incidents. The court adjourned the case to July 22 for finalisation. The victims described lasting impacts on their confidence, intimate life, and mental health, including anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares. The case highlighted the vulnerability of taxi passengers and the alleged breach of trust by a licensed driver. Raymond Shorten pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Safest option' turned out be 'worst nightmare', victim of taxi driver rapist tells court. Charges or matters: two counts of rape and one of anal rape by a jury at the Central Criminal Court last month; the rape and anal rape of a 19-year-old woman on June 26, 2022 and to the rape of another woman, then aged 20, a couple of months later on August 9. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Convicted

When:

June 26, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
August 9 Hearing Or Sentence
June 25, 2022 Other
September 1, 2022 Incident
August 22 Incident
August 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
July 22 Adjournment
2024-07-01 Publication

Why: "I'd say I've made some poor decisions around my dating and intimate life because of it". CNI source report

Case subjects

Raymond Shorten

Defendant

Charges: two counts of rape and one of anal rape by a jury at the Central Criminal Court last month; the rape and anal rape of a 19-year-old woman on June 26, 2022 and to the rape of another woman, then aged 20, a couple of months later on August 9 (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; After hearing the facts, Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case to July 22 for finalisation.