CHRISTOPHER DEVLIN FROM NORTON SENTENCED AFTER ARSON AND STALKING SPREE IN TEESSIDE

A man known as Christopher Devlin, with ties to Norton, has been remanded into custody once again following a series of disturbing criminal acts that included arson, stalking, and burglary. The incidents, which caused significant distress to multiple victims, have brought Devlin back into the spotlight of the criminal justice system.

Devlin, who previously served a seven-year sentence starting in 2016 for setting fires at the home of the ex-partner of notorious criminal Jonathon Moorby, was found guilty of new charges that further illustrate his pattern of violent and intimidating behavior. His latest actions involved targeting his pregnant ex-partner’s mother and sister, as well as engaging in a campaign of harassment that included late-night phone calls and break-ins.

According to the prosecution, Caroline McGurk, Devlin made a series of veiled threats and intimidating messages during July of the previous year. Using withheld numbers, he repeatedly called the mother and sister of his ex-partner over several days, demanding that his ex-partner contact him. McGurk explained that Devlin claimed to know her whereabouts and threatened to cause damage to her home, explicitly stating he would “smash up her mother’s home address” and warning of his intention to behave badly.

In addition to the threatening calls, Devlin’s actions escalated when, on July 3, he unlawfully entered his ex-partner’s mother’s residence by climbing through an upstairs window. During this break-in, he stole a bag containing newly purchased clothing. The stolen items were later recovered discarded in nearby bushes, indicating a reckless disregard for property and safety.

One of the victims, in a statement read to Teesside Crown Court, expressed her fear and anxiety caused by Devlin’s conduct. She revealed that her experience had been so traumatic that she now relies on a panic alarm, a panic room, and CCTV cameras installed at her home to ensure her safety. Her testimony underscored the profound impact Devlin’s actions had on her sense of security and well-being.

Devlin, residing on Waterford Road in Norton, pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking and one of burglary. Two additional charges of witness intimidation were left on the court’s files, indicating ongoing concerns about his conduct.

During the hearing, Nicci Horton, representing Devlin, acknowledged that her client had been held on remand for seven months—equivalent to a 14-month prison sentence—and admitted that his behavior had crossed the threshold for custody. Despite this, the court recognized the seriousness of his actions.

Recorder Dafydd Enoch KC sentenced Devlin to a total of 12 months in prison for all the offences. The judge also imposed an indefinite restraining order to prevent any further contact with the victims, emphasizing the need to protect them from future harm. In his remarks, the judge noted that while Devlin’s guilty pleas indicated some acknowledgment of his misconduct, his conduct was “rather unpleasant and cruel,” and could have resulted in even more severe consequences.