COEN BUST FROM PERTHSHIRE: SHOCKING ONLINE CHILD SEX OFFENDER ON THE RUN IN SCOTLAND

A man accused of being a sex offender has been identified as Coen Bust, a 47-year-old individual who became the subject of a nationwide manhunt after fleeing his home in Edinburgh. The incident that led to his flight involved a court appearance where he was scheduled to be sentenced for sending disturbing and inappropriate sexual messages to someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. Following this, Bust disappeared, prompting authorities to launch an extensive search across the region.

Police quickly traced his movements after he used the alias 'Buttery Robot' to contact a person on the Chat Avenue forum. Later, in August 2023, he shifted his online activity to Snapchat, where investigators uncovered that Bust had been communicating with an undercover police officer posing as a minor. This online contact was part of a series of illicit exchanges aimed at seeking sexual gratification from a minor, which ultimately led to his arrest and charges.

His disappearance was marked by a significant police effort, including public appeals and the release of images showing him disembarking from a train at Dunkeld on March 13. Despite the widespread search, Bust remained at large for 18 days, during which he was believed to be hiding in the rural woodland area of Birnam Glen, near Perthshire. It was in this remote location that police eventually found him sleeping rough, and he was detained without further incident.

Prior to his arrest, Bust had been communicating with an undercover officer, which led to his guilty plea on January 30 of this year. He admitted to charges related to online contact with the intent of sexual gratification and attempting to meet a child for unlawful sexual activity during August and September 2023. His actions raised serious concerns about online child exploitation and the dangers posed by predators operating in digital spaces.

Following his arrest, Bust was held in custody for a week before appearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court for sentencing. Sheriff Wendy Sheehan imposed a community payback order, which included a two-year supervision period, restrictions on internet use, and a ban on contacting children under the age of 16. Additionally, Bust was placed on the sex offenders register for two years, marking a significant step in monitoring his activities and preventing further offenses.

During the court proceedings, his defense solicitor, Ross Gardner, explained that Bust’s actions were influenced by underlying anxiety and mental health issues. It was revealed that he had been receiving hospital treatment since his arrest. Gardner also noted that Bust had left his previous residence amid intense media coverage, believing he had lost contact with his partner and family members. Despite his cooperation with authorities, the court emphasized the gravity of his offenses, which involved seeking sexual gratification through online contacts and attempting to meet a minor for sexual purposes.

The judge underscored the importance of addressing such crimes and highlighted the ongoing efforts to prevent recurrence. The case of Coen Bust from Perthshire serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by online predators and the critical need for vigilant law enforcement investigations to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.