Parents of alleged child abuse victim described messages found on their child's iPad as 'disgusting'

The parents of an alleged child abuse victim have told a Supreme Court jury the messages they found on their child's iPad were disgusting and horrible.

Former teacher and scout leader, Clayton Busto is accused of 19 sexual offences against children, dating from 2007 to 2016.

He denies all the charges.

The jury first heard further cross-examination of a complainant referred to in court as Mr Y.

Defence lawyer Chris Finch Marsh challenged him over the timing of an alleged incident at Mr Busto’s home.

The defence suggested Mr Y may have been 16 at the time and able to give consent. Mr Y maintained he believed he was 15 at the time.

The jury also heard evidence from another complainant, Mr Z.

He said Clayton Busto contacted him through Facebook and Snapchat when he was 17, sending sexual images and asking him to send images back.

He told the court the defendant would describe the exchanges as banter, but said he now sees it as inappropriate communication from someone who had been his teacher.

Although 16 is the age of consent in Gibraltar, the age rises to 18 when the defendant is in a position of trust.

A friend of Mr Y also gave evidence, saying he had seen an indecent video and photographs allegedly involving Mr Busto.

The court later heard from the parents of Mr X. His mother described the messages found on their son’s iPad as disgusting and horrible. She said they did not report the matter at the time because of concerns for their son’s mental health.

Mr X’s father told the jury that a few years later he raised the issue with police, but chose not to make a formal report.

He said that, several years after that, he was contacted by police and decided to give more evidence about the matter he had previously raised.

When he then named Clayton Busto, police confirmed he was the person they were investigating.

The jury heard it was at that point that he told his son. He said, the moment he spoke to his son, Mr X, he was absolutely willing to collaborate.

The trial continues.