ALAN DEVINE OFFERTON PRIEST SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND CHILD PREGNANCY IN STOCKPORT

In a case that has shocked the local community of Offerton and the wider Stockport area, Alan Devine, a 75-year-old former priest, has been sentenced to two years in prison for multiple counts of indecent assault committed during the 1970s. The conviction follows a lengthy investigation that was prompted by the courageous decision of one of his victims, now in her 50s, to come forward and report the historic abuse to police last year.

Devine, who resided on Worthing Close in Offerton, was once regarded as a highly respected chaplain at a Roman Catholic school in Stockport. His reputation was built on his role within the community and his position of trust, which he exploited to commit heinous acts against vulnerable young girls. During the court proceedings, victim impact statements painted a harrowing picture of the lasting damage inflicted by Devine’s actions.

One of the women, who was a teenager at the time, recounted how Devine molested her on five separate occasions over several years. Her statement revealed that she fell pregnant as a result of his abuse, and the child was subsequently placed for adoption. She described the profound psychological scars left behind, stating, “I don’t know how to describe the impact on me. The unexpected birth of a child whilst I was in my teen years, the courses of counselling and medication has had a psychological impact that nobody can imagine. I’ve been on medication constantly. I have counted out the tablets to end my life. I have spent years not allowing people to get close to me.”

Another victim, an 11-year-old girl, was sexually assaulted by Devine while she was a passenger in his car. Her impact statement, read aloud in court, detailed how the abuse had severely affected her sense of self and her ability to form healthy relationships. She expressed feelings of lost innocence and self-esteem, saying, “You used your position as a priest to get to know our family. You took away my childhood and early adulthood. You left me with no self-respect. You hurt me and gave me problems with intimacy. You gave me false ideas of a relationship and love. I have no self-esteem.”

The court also heard that Devine had a prior caution in 2005 for possession of indecent images of children, which added to the gravity of his misconduct. On June 8, 2016, he was arrested and subsequently brought to trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. Despite denying the allegations, Devine was found guilty of six counts of sexual assault.

Judge Stuart Driver QC addressed Devine directly during sentencing, emphasizing the severity of his breach of trust. He stated, “You have shown no remorse at all. Your behaviour is a profound and serious breach of trust. The impact was serious and long-lasting. You were highly respected because of your position and you were trusted because of your position.”

As part of his sentence, Devine will also be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. The case has left a lasting mark on the victims and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from those in positions of authority.