ANTHONY DEVLIN FROM GREATER MANCHESTER JAILED FOR GROOMING CRIME IN BOLTON AND HANOI
In a significant development in the ongoing fight against online grooming and child exploitation, Anthony Paul Devlin, a known sex offender from the Greater Manchester region, has been sentenced to serve time behind bars.Devlin, born on April 13, 1985, and previously convicted of grooming in August 2006 at Liverpool Crown Court, had been on the run before his recent capture and sentencing.
Devlin’s criminal history and his latest offenses are deeply troubling.
His initial conviction stemmed from a grooming case, which involved manipulative communication with a minor.
The latest incident dates back to early 2004, when a 14-year-old girl from Bolton, who was initially under the impression that her online contact was 16, began exchanging messages with Devlin.
Their communication started in a chat room, where Devlin quickly made contact and exchanged mobile phone numbers with the girl.
Over the following months, the two maintained contact through text messages, with their conversations intensifying until they agreed to meet in Bolton in May 2004.
Before their meeting, the girl disclosed her true age, revealing she was only 14, despite her earlier claim of being 16.
Despite knowing her actual age, Devlin chose to proceed with the meeting.
The encounter in Bolton was marked by a kiss, and they agreed to meet again in September of the same year.
During their second meeting, they shared a kiss once more before parting ways.
The communication between Devlin and the girl persisted over the subsequent months.
However, her mother eventually discovered the ongoing texts and confiscated her phone, suspecting inappropriate contact.
In response, Devlin provided her with a replacement device to continue their communication.
This persistence led to further concern when, in December 2004, the girl’s mother contacted the police after realizing her daughter was still in contact with Devlin via text messages.
The police responded swiftly, and Devlin was arrested and subsequently charged.
Devlin was scheduled to appear at Bolton Crown Court on August 4, 2006, but he failed to attend.
This absence prompted an extensive investigation to locate him.
Through joint efforts involving Greater Manchester Police’s Sex Offender Management Unit and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), authorities uncovered that Devlin had established bank accounts in Vietnam and was actively using them.
Contact was made with Vietnamese authorities, leading to Devlin’s discovery in Hanoi.
He was deported back to the UK in March 2012 and was immediately arrested upon his arrival at Gatwick Airport.
Detective Inspector Debbie Conlon Houldershaw, from the Sex Offender Management Unit, expressed her relief at Devlin’s capture and emphasized the tireless efforts of the investigation team.
She highlighted the importance of international cooperation in such cases, noting that intelligence from CEOP and SOCA was instrumental in locating Devlin in Vietnam and bringing him back to face justice.
Inspector Houldershaw also condemned Devlin’s actions, stating that he preyed on the vulnerability of his young victim and knowingly continued contact despite her underage status.
She urged parents and children to remain vigilant online, especially on platforms like MSN and other social networking sites.
She pointed out that many of these sites now feature emergency safety buttons that direct users to CEOP, where suspicious activity can be reported.
For those seeking advice on online safety, resources are available at http://www.ceop.police.uk, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding children from online predators.
