Brenton Howard Devlin avoids jail after undercover police sting catches him attempting to groom child

A former youth leader and Bedford’s worker has learned his fate after an undercover Victorian police officer caught him pretending to be a 16-year-old.

A former youth leader and Bedford’s worker who attempted to groom an undercover police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl will spend no time in jail.

Brenton Howard Devlin, 61, had previously pleaded guilty to communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity between April 19 and May 13, 2021

During sentencing Judge Heath Barklay said Devlin had become “increasingly affectionate” towards “Lucy”, before he tried to convince her to meet him at a motel.

“You asked Lucy if she wanted to sleep with you. You described what you wanted to do to her,” Judge Barklay said.

“You repeatedly asked about motels close to her school. You suggested to her that you fly to Melbourne to meet her.”

Brenton Devlin has dodged jail after he was caught trying to groom a 14-year-old girl. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Following his arrest in 2021, Devlin denied he knew how old Lucy was or that he had pretended to be a 16-year-old teen, until police showed him one of his messages.

Prior to his sentencing, Devlin’s lawyer Kate Annells asked the court for any term of imprisonment to be served on home detention.

The court heard Devlin was involved in a serious crash in 1991, lives with a number of complex disabilities as well as a traumatic brain injury.

Ms Annelles previously said her paraplegic client was “essentially a very lonely, intellectually disabled man” who posed no risk to the community.

“(He) was to some extent, expressing fantasies that have no prospect whatsoever of being carried out into real life,” Ms Annells said.

Prosecutor Ben Sturm said he sympathised with Devlin’s disabilities but said it was clear there had been no physical change in the accused between the time of offending and now.

“His permanent infirmity — is one that predated this offending, in physical terms he is equally as capable of committing the offence today as he was 17 months ago,” Mr Sturm said.

Judge Barklay said Devlin’s experience with court proceedings would serve as a deterrent to future offending having created a “fear of prison”.

Judge Barklay also expressed concern about the strain Devlin’s extensive medical issues would place on the “limited prison resources”.

“It would almost be impossible to manage your medical needs in custody because of the high level of care required and the real risk of hospitalisation, if imprisoned,” Judge Barklay said.

Devlin was sentenced to 11 months and 28 days on home detention and was ordered he must not use the internet or possess, or use any device that allows him to access the internet.