Former teacher & scout leader guilty on all counts of sexual offences against children

Former teacher and scout leader Clayton Busto has been found guilty on all charges of sexual offences against children.

He faced 19 counts: Five related to Mr X, two counts related to My Y and one related to Mr Z. Busto also faced 11 counts of sexual activity with a child that related to Mr A. Of these, three were alternative charges. In those cases, the main charge alleged sexual activity on more than five occasions, while the alternative count alleged it happened on one occasion. The alternatives were there for the jury to consider if they were not sure the repeated offending had been proved.

The case centred on allegations that Busto used positions of trust, friendship and influence to get close to school boys; first as the “cool teacher”, the “cool scout leader”, and then as someone who crossed serious sexual boundaries.

Jurors heard evidence of inappropriate messages, requests for images, sexualised conversations, and incidents involving boys who had looked up to him.

Throughout the trial, Busto denied the charges. His defence argued the complainants were either mistaken, over the age relevant to the offences, or had colluded against him.

After the Chief Justice took the jury through his summing up, the jury retired to consider its verdict.

It took them just under four hours to find the defendant guilty on all charges.

The Crown asked for Busto to be remanded in custody, but the defence applied for bail so the 43-year-old could get his affairs in order.

Justice Dudley said he would grant bail at this stage, but told Busto all sentencing options remained open and that the case would be dealt with by way of an immediate custodial sentence.

The matter was adjourned to the 18th of August, when Busto is expected to be sentenced.