Sawtell man Keaton Devine sentenced for domestic violence

A high-profile Coffs Harbour man and ex-serviceman who helped established a well-known weekly men’s group has been jailed after an “ugly, alcohol-fuelled” incident.

Keaton Devine was one of the founders of the weekly men's group known as Sawtell Men.

A Coffs Coast war veteran known for establishing a popular men’s support and fitness group has been jailed for a “very ugly” outburst at his then-wife.

Keaton Devine, who established well-known men’s support and fitness group Sawtell Men, has been remanded in custody since January 27, after he was charged with three counts of contravening an apprehended violence order and intimidation.

At the time, Devine was on court orders directing him not to attend licensed premises or be in the presence of his wife while intoxicated.

But it was heard in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Friday that Devine breached these orders on multiple occasions – becoming intoxicated at a licensed premises before threatening his then-wife: “If you call the police I will hurt you” .

The day he was set to defend the charges, Devine pleaded guilty to one charge of contravening an AVO and the intimidation charge was withdrawn.

Keaton Devine (at right) featured in the Coffs Harbour Focus magazine with good friend and ‘Sawtell Men’ co-founder Jamie Syme.

Devine, 37, sat quietly in prison greens and handcuffs, at times placing his head in his hands, as his lawyer presented the magistrate with an article about his establishment of Sawtell Men, which meets weekly for sunrise workouts and male bonding over coffee.

His lawyer Mr Hull told the court Devine had “achieved a lot in the last year”, including seeking assistance for his mental health and alcohol abuse.

Keaton Devine from Sawtell has been sent to jail for domestic violence. He was sentenced in Coffs Harbour court on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Mr Hull conceded the recent offending was “very ugly behaviour with alcohol the root cause”.

Devine was described as an “Aussie legend” on the website of the local private school he attended, and has been open about his personal battles since returning from two years of active service in the Middle East.

The court heard Devine had previous domestic violence convictions on his record “in relation to the same complainant”.

Magistrate Julia Virgo acknowledged Devine’s guilty plea, negating the need for witnesses to be called.

The magistrate said the threat being delivered “in the face of the victim” that “if you call the police I will hurt you” was significant.

“His record does not assist him and paints a picture of noncompliance,” Ms Virgo said.

Ms Virgo acknowledged the impacts of active service in the Middle East.

“It is common sense that somebody on active duty in Iraq would have experienced significant stress,” the magistrate said.

Ms Virgo ruled there was no alternative to further time behind bars and imposed an aggregate term of 10 months with a non-parole period of six months.

Devine is to be released to parole on July 26.

The magistrate also called up two additional AVO contraventions for which the sentence was breached by Devine’s new offending, and resentenced him to a two-year community corrections order with supervision, abstinence from alcohol, and a ban from licensed premises.

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