Trial for man accused of having 2,500 indecent child images

Sunday 14 August 2022

A 46-year-old man accused of having around 2,000 indecent images of children is due to face a trial next year.

Shay John Edward Bester pleaded not guilty to having 1,328 indecent images of children classified in the most serious ‘A’ category, of which 1,284 were videos, when he appeared in the Royal Court on Friday.

He also entered not guilty pleas for having 700 less serious ‘Category B’ images, of which 632 were videos, and 572 ‘Category C’ images, of which 371 were videos.

All three counts relate to alleged offences committed between 12 February and 21 November 2021.

Mr Bester’s not guilty pleas were not accepted by the Crown, and he was bailed until 31 August, when a pre-trial hearing will be held. 

A three-day trial has been scheduled to begin on 16 January 2023.