Salisbury man jailed for multiple child sex offences
A 12 year sentence has been handed to 52 year old John Devine
A man living in Salisbury has been jailed for 12 years after admitting multiple child sex offences.
52 year old John Devine is previously registered sex offender who was on prison licence to reside in the city when the crimes took place.
Devine pleaded guilty to:
- Making indecent images of a child (category A)
- Making indecent images of a child (category B)
- Making indecent images of a child (category C)
- Distributing an indecent image of a child (category A)
- Distributing an indecent image of a child (category C)
- Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child
- Attempting to cause a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity
- Attempting to cause a child to look at an image of sexual activity
As well as the 12 year prison sentence, Devine must register as a sex offender indefinitely.
Caught through police sting
In September and October 2021, Devine engaged online with a profile of a user who he believed to be a 12-year-old boy.
The conversation was of a sexual nature and included Devine encouraging the child to carry out a sexual act.
But there was no real life victim in these incidents, and no children were abused, as the conversations were carried out by Wiltshire Police officers, in conjunction with the Regional Organised Crime Unit in South Wales.
Devices were seized from Devine's property and more than 600 indecent images and videos were located - they were deemed category A images, that depict the most serious abuse of children.
Detective Constable Sadie McCoy, of the Wiltshire Police Child Internet Exploitation Team, said:
“Despite being on licence at the time of these offences, Devine has continued to offend. He is a risk to society and I am pleased the serious nature of his offending has been recognised and he has been given a lengthy prison sentence.
“I hope this investigation demonstrates Wiltshire Police commitment to rooting out serious offenders like Devine within our community and ensuring they are put before the courts. We would encourage anybody who wishes to report child sex abuse of any nature to come forward and contact us – you will be supported by a team of professionals whose role it is to protect children from harm.”