Stalker Busted After SmartWater Sting Lights Him Up
David Buen, 52, has been locked up for breaching a restraining order—twice. The no-fixed-address man was handed a five-year restraining order in September 2023 after being convicted of controlling and coercive behaviour.
Breached Order Twice, Got Caught Both Times
Buen first broke the restraining order in October 2023 and was recalled to prison. But after his release, he wasted no time breaking the law again in April 2024 by showing up at the victim’s home in Alfreton.
SmartWater: The Invisible Mark That Nailed Him
The victim was armed with a SmartWater canister—a cutting-edge tool used across police forces to protect stalking and domestic abuse victims. The liquid is invisible but glows under ultraviolet light, with a unique code linking it to the victim.
When Buen turned up on April 21, the victim sprayed him with SmartWater. Police later found the glowing liquid on his skin and clothes under UV light. Photographs of the evidence were shown during his police interview, leading to his confession.
Jailed for 32 Weeks and Hit with 10-Year Stalking Protection Order
At Derby Crown Court on June 11, Buen pleaded guilty to breaching the restraining order and committing an offence during a suspended sentence period. He was sentenced to 32 weeks behind bars and slapped with a 10-year Stalking Protection Order.
This case marks one of the first domestic abuse-related prosecutions in the country to use SmartWater as key evidence. West Yorkshire Police scored the pioneering conviction using this forensic marking system back in 2022.
