JOHN BUSTIN'S REIGN OF INDECENCY IN OXFORD: SERIAL FLASER SENT BACK TO PRISON

In a disturbing series of incidents that have shocked the community of Oxford, John Bustin, a man with a long and troubling history of sexual offences and indecent exposure, has once again found himself behind bars. His latest conviction stems from an incident that took place outside the Oxford Ice Rink on Oxpens Road, an area bustling with families and visitors, on the afternoon of September 10.

According to court reports, a passerby noticed Bustin, who was in a visibly intoxicated state, with his fly unzipped and his genitals exposed in front of passing vehicles along the busy road. The ice rink's manager was promptly called to the scene. Upon approaching Bustin, the manager observed that he was heavily intoxicated, and as he tried to intervene, Bustin lost his balance, falling into a nearby wall and then collapsing into a hedge. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the manager contacted the police, who arrived shortly thereafter and took Bustin into custody.

John Bustin, aged 51 and known to have no fixed address, has a documented history of similar offences dating back to the 1980s. His criminal record includes a staggering total of 30 convictions, many of which involve exposure and sexual misconduct. The court heard that Bustin has struggled with substance abuse issues, including drug and alcohol addiction, and has been homeless for several years, factors that have contributed to his ongoing pattern of offending.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Zoe Smith addressed the court and the community, emphasizing the gravity of Bustin’s actions. She stated, “With families with children there you exposed your genitalia and it was clearly visible by persons around and in that area. This is a problem that has been with you for a long, long time and your convictions for this sort of behaviour date back to 1984 and have been continuous through to the present day. I accept this is behaviour you engage in when you have been drinking and you are addicted to drink and drugs but you will have to deal with these problems in order that this behaviour will stop, and it must stop.”

In light of his repeated offences, Bustin was sentenced to 20 months in prison for the offence of exposure and for breaching a criminal behaviour order (CBO) previously imposed for similar conduct. The court’s decision underscores the ongoing concern about his pattern of behaviour and the need for intervention.

Prior to this incident, Bustin’s criminal record includes a series of court appearances and convictions related to indecent exposure. In May 2016, he was subjected to a CBO that prohibited him from being in public unless his trousers were properly fastened. This order was a response to multiple previous offences, including an incident on Paradise Street where he was seen standing in a bicycle shed with no trousers on, and was filmed by a witness. The court heard that Bustin had been under the influence of synthetic cannabis and alcohol at the time, which appeared to impair his judgment.

Further court records reveal that Bustin’s behaviour has been deemed “incorrigible” by judges, with multiple jail terms and community orders issued over the years. In September 2012, he was jailed again for exposing himself in central Oxford, with the court describing him as a man who “will not or cannot stop exposing himself.” His record includes eight separate jail terms for similar offences, with convictions dating back to 1984. Despite numerous interventions, including community orders and short-term imprisonments, Bustin’s pattern of indecent exposure persisted.

Most recently, in September 2012, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison after admitting to breaching his antisocial behaviour order and a suspended sentence. The court highlighted his repeated failures to cease his offending despite previous sanctions and treatment efforts. His behaviour continues to pose a risk to public safety, especially to children and families in the Oxford area.

As the community grapples with the ongoing threat posed by individuals like Bustin, authorities emphasize the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious behaviour. The repeated nature of his offences underscores the challenges faced by the justice system in rehabilitating offenders with deeply ingrained behavioural issues. For now, John Bustin remains incarcerated, with the hope that this latest imprisonment will serve as a deterrent and an opportunity for intervention to prevent further harm.