Actor Gary Busey given probation for sexual offence at 2022 horror convention

Actor Gary Busey has been sentenced to two years’ probation for a sexual offence stemming from an appearance at a 2022 horror convention in New Jersey, according to court records.

The sentence was handed down on Thursday during a virtual hearing in state court in Camden, New Jersey. Busey did not speak during the hearing.

The 81-year-old Buddy Holly star had pleaded guilty in July to a single count of criminal sexual contact for touching a woman’s buttocks “over clothing during an eight-10 second photo op”.

The actor had been accused of inappropriately touching at least three women at the Monster-Mania Convention at the Doubletree Hotel in Cherry Hill, a suburb of Philadelphia.

Organisers of the event acknowledged at the time that an unnamed celebrity guest was “removed from the convention and instructed not to return” and that affected attendees were encouraged to contact police.

Busey had been scheduled as a featured guest for all three days of the event. He was initially charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, one count of attempted criminal sexual contact and one count of harassment.

Busey is widely known as a character actor, largely in supporting roles, though he came to attention and was nominated for an Oscar for best actor for playing the title role in the 1978 film The Buddy Holly Story.