PORT SETON SEX OFFENDER CRAIG RAEBURN JAILED AGAIN AFTER GRINDR AND ONLINE STING IN EDINBURGH

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning several years, Craig Raeburn, a known sex offender from Port Seton, has faced multiple convictions and recent jail sentences related to his inappropriate online activities and possession of indecent images of children.

Raeburn’s latest conviction occurred in July 2019 when he was sentenced to 15 months in prison after being caught using a banned electronic device to access Grindr, a gay dating app, while standing at a bus stop in Haddington. This incident marked his third jail term, highlighting a pattern of repeated offending despite previous legal actions.

The police officers on patrol observed Raeburn, 54, at a bus stop in Haddington earlier that year. He was seen using an electronic tablet, which he claimed he had purchased just three days prior due to concerns about rumors that his personal details were being circulated on social media. When approached, Raeburn appeared agitated and hurriedly attempted to switch off the device. Officers seized the tablet and discovered an error message on the screen, along with an active Wi-Fi connection indicating attempts to connect to Grindr. Raeburn was aware of the conditions of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which mandated him to declare all internet-enabled devices, yet he breached this order by possessing and attempting to use an unregistered device.

His criminal history is extensive. Previously, Raeburn, who once coached boys at the Cockenzie Star youth football club (though he no longer has any involvement with the club), was jailed in January 2017 for 14 months after police found 1,400 indecent images of children on his computer. He was also dismissed from his role as a practitioner services manager with the NHS following that conviction.

Raeburn’s troubling pattern of behavior continued when he was caught in an online sting by Wolf Pack Hunter UK, an internet group that sets up decoys to catch predators. In October 2018, he was caught attempting to meet a supposed 12-year-old boy named ‘Cameron Scott’ at Edinburgh Waverley Station. Raeburn had contacted the decoy via Skype and later through WhatsApp, exchanging explicit messages and images, including pictures of his genitals and discussions about engaging in sexual acts. He pleaded guilty to these charges and was sentenced to 14 months in prison, with a ten-year sex offenders’ registration.

Further investigations revealed that Raeburn had also attempted to arrange a meeting with the decoy, which he later admitted. The sheriff described his offenses as “serious and concerning,” and he was sentenced to an additional 20 months in custody, with a further 12 months of supervision upon release. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for ten years.

Raeburn’s criminal activities are not limited to online misconduct. In 2018, he was convicted of possessing over 1,400 indecent images and 20 videos depicting children as young as three being abused by adults. Specialist software recovered most of these images after Raeburn attempted to delete them. The images included some at the most severe level of harm, such as children being raped. He was sentenced to 14 months in prison and a ten-year sex offenders’ registration, with a five-year sexual harm prevention order prohibiting him from having contact with children under 16 or owning devices capable of internet access.

Throughout his criminal history, Raeburn has shown a pattern of attempting to conceal his activities, including deleting files and attempting to hide his online presence. Despite these efforts, law enforcement has been able to recover evidence that led to multiple convictions. His repeated offenses highlight the ongoing risks he poses to the community, especially vulnerable children.

In court, Raeburn’s latest sentencing reflects the seriousness of his actions. Sheriff Michael O’Grady QC emphasized that custody was entirely appropriate given the nature of his breaches and offenses. Raeburn was sentenced to 20 months in prison, with an additional year of supervision after his release, and was placed on the sex offenders register for ten years. The court’s decision underscores the importance of safeguarding children and the need for strict penalties for those who violate such orders and commit sexual offenses.