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Dublin taxi driver, 50, jailed for another 17 years for rape of two women in back of vehicle after showing ‘no regret’
The judge said he took into account the few mitigating features
CAMPAIGNERS hailed a total jail term of 30 years handed down to evil taxi driver Raymond Shorten as “equivalent to a life sentence”.
Charity bosses spoke out after the 50-year-old monster was sentenced to a total of 17 years for raping two young women on separate nights in 2022.
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Shorten from Melrose Crescent, Clondalkin in Dublin, was also sentenced earlier this week to 13 years in jail for raping a seven-year-old girl twice and sexually assaulting her ten years previously.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott ruled the sentences should run consecutively, meaning Shorten will be jailed for 30 years.
Reacting to news that the brute would be off the streets for many decades, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre praised victims for coming forward.
Chief Executive Rachel Morrogh said: “The total jail term of 30 years is effectively equivalent to a life sentence.
“It is another significant sentence given by the courts in recent weeks to perpetrators of sexual offences and should give great hope to people going through the justice system that this most heinous crime will be punished by lengthy imprisonment.
“As well as being welcomed by victims of sexual violence, the sentence should also send a message of zero tolerance to perpetrators.
“In this particular case, Raymond Shorten abused the trust placed in him by two young women to get home safely and took advantage of the fact they were vulnerable.
“He compounded the trauma he caused by denying all charges and attempting to discredit his victims.”
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Earlier, the judge said it was a “poor reflection” on the safety of women in society that the best advice for them to get home safely “without the fear of violent attack” after a night out is not get the bus or walk home alone, but to get a taxi.
Mr Justice McDermott made the comments while imposing a 17-year sentence on monster Shorten, who he said had shown no remorse.
In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice McDermott said this case was about violence against women in society and the steps they must take to avoid or minimise this risk.
He said the case reflects the “unhappy reality” that women “too often become the subject of sexual or other forms of physical violence, or the threat of it, when they go out to simply enjoy themselves”.
The judge said this indicates “an underlying unhealthy attitude towards women and their fundamental rights in any society, if their sense of freedom and security in doing normal things is so compromised”.
He said it is a “poor reflection on the level of security and safety of women” who go for a night out that the best advice to get home safely and “without fear of violent attack by a male, or without unwanted attention” is not to get a bus or walk home alone, which they should be able to do.
Mr Justice McDermott said using a taxi is a “reasonable” option and reflects the “level of trust” in that service.
The judge said there are many stories of the “great kindness and helpfulness” of taxi drivers and that Shorten’s behaviour would be regarded as “a gross betrayal of that high standard of service and professionalism”.
He said this is one of the reasons why this case had resonated with people and that breach of trust is an aggravating feature.
The judge noted the 13-year sentence imposed in relation to Shorten's offending against the young girl and said it was “significant” that he went on to repeat his offence against women he didn't know “without compunction or hesitation”.
He said Shorten identified two further victims, deliberately took advantage of their vulnerability and carried out the offences in the “most humiliating and demeaning” manner.
He said Shorten had breached the trust of the victims, who expected him to get them home safely, and that the taxi should have been a place of security for them.
The judge said Shorten “effectively preyed” on both women, who were intoxicated and vulnerable, and that there was evidence he “targeted” the first victim, who had not hailed a taxi.
He said Shorten does not accept the jury's verdict, maintains his innocence and has shown no remorse. He said Shorten was “completely unrepentant” for the damage inflicted on the victims in this case.
The judge acknowledged that Shorten is entitled to maintain that he did nothing wrong, but that this is a concern.
However, Mr Justice McDermott said it is clear that Shorten “was, and remains, a danger to others,” in light of his previous offending.
He said: “This is man who had already raped a child and years later set out to commit these offences within a short period of each other. He knew exactly what he was doing and appeared to do it with impunity.”
He noted the harm, both physical and mental, caused to the victims in this case.
The judge said the two women had “acted with great dignity and courage” by reporting the offences and giving evidence during the trial.
Meanwhile Garda Commissioner Drew Harris last night spoke of his fears that there may be more victims of sicko Shorten yet to come forward.
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At a public meeting in Dublin, he said: “This individual has been dealt with through the criminal justice system and has now been incarcerated.
“I would say, then, to others who may have been his victim to please come forward to An Garda Siochana and make a complaint.
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