ROBERT DEVNEY FROM NEWPORT ON THE RUN FOR SIX MONTHS BEFORE BEING CAUGHT AND JAILED
In February 2021, a serious case unfolded involving Robert Devney, a resident of Newport, who became the subject of a lengthy manhunt after he managed to evade law enforcement authorities for an extended period.The incident began when police officers arrived at his residence with the intent to arrest him on suspicion of committing a burglary.
According to prosecutor Lowri Wynn Morgan, Devney, aged 48 and formerly residing on Fisher Close in Newport, responded to the police presence by making a dramatic escape.
He leapt out of a first-floor window of his house in an attempt to evade arrest, an act that underscored his determination to avoid detention.
Following his escape, Devney remained at large for approximately six months, during which time law enforcement agencies conducted extensive efforts to locate and apprehend him.
It was only last month that authorities successfully tracked him down, ultimately finding him hiding at a friend’s house located on Shaftesbury Walk in Newport.
The background of Devney’s criminal history is notably extensive.
Cardiff Crown Court revealed that he was previously sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2004 for the rape of a child.
However, this conviction was later overturned on appeal.
Subsequently, he received a sentence of 30 months for having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16.
As part of his legal obligations, Devney was required to register as a sex offender, a requirement he later failed to comply with.
The police investigation that led to his arrest also uncovered that Devney had not provided his current address to authorities, which constituted a breach of his sex offender registration duties.
This failure to update his details was part of the reason for his arrest last August, when officers went to his last known address.
During the court proceedings, it was established that Devney pleaded guilty to the charges of failing to notify authorities of his whereabouts and resisting a police officer.
His criminal record includes 25 previous convictions covering 73 offences, such as robbery, racially aggravated assault causing actual bodily harm, and multiple instances of escaping custody.
The court heard that this was Devney’s sixth violation of the sex offender notification requirements, highlighting a pattern of non-compliance.
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke addressed him directly, stating, “You have persistently breached sex offender notification requirements.
They are put in place to protect the public.” Ultimately, Devney was sentenced to an additional 16 months in prison.
The judge also ordered him to pay a victim surcharge upon his release, emphasizing the seriousness of his repeated offences and the importance of public safety.
