DAVID DEVLIN SENTENCED IN CAERPHILLY FOR YEARS OF SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST YOUNG GIRL
A man named David Devlin, 45, from Ystrad Mynach in Caerphilly, was convicted of sexually abusing a girl over many years, starting when she was just six years old.The abuse led the victim to attempt suicide twice.
Devlin exploited her trust, warning her not to report his actions or he would face prison.
The abuse intensified to the point where he forced her to perform a sex act and sexually assaulted her.
At Newport Crown Court on Friday, prosecutors highlighted hundreds of texts exchanged between Devlin and the girl, which were described as resembling a romantic relationship.
Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant characterized these texts as grooming behaviour, aiming to normalise his sexual misconduct in her mind.
The victim disclosed the abuse to her family and school in 2022, resulting in Devlin’s arrest.
A search of his home uncovered a laptop containing an indecent image of a child, and his phone was found to have an image of bestiality.
Devlin, of Station Road, denied the charges but was convicted of six counts of sexual assault of a child, one count of assault by penetration of a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, possession of an indecent image, and possession of an extreme image.
Prosecutors noted he was previously of good character.
During the court hearing, the victim’s personal statement was read aloud, in which she described her mental health struggles following the abuse.
She said: "When I first told school and family about what was happening, I closed myself off from friends, family and the outside world.
I wouldn't leave my room and go outside with friends.
I wouldn't do normal things like eat or drink.
I would stay in my room and not want to leave.
I would get up in the night with nightmares and flashbacks..." She continued, expressing her fears and depression: "I am scared of people now, I know what people are capable of.
I feel I am constantly depressed and have felt like this for the last two years.
I feel numb and angry to the outside world and sad when I am alone.
At times I haven't felt like getting out of bed, I don't go on my phone or fall asleep, I lie there thinking about everything that's happened with Dave and cry..." The victim also revealed she attempted to end her life twice, initially overdosing on tablets and later harming herself with knives and lighters.
She confided in a school counsellor about her suicide attempt, after which she was hospitalized.
In court, Devlin’s defence maintained his innocence, suggesting that the victim was pursuing compensation.
It was acknowledged that he had lost his job due to these convictions, and he expressed remorse for letting others down.
Judge Porter-Bryant described Devlin as a “high risk of serious harm to female children” and stated that he used grooming and manipulation to abuse his victim.
Consequently, Devlin was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison, with an extended licence period of two years and six months, as he was deemed a dangerous offender.
He will serve two-thirds of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
The court also ordered that he register as a sex offender and be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order during a future hearing.
