'Extreme remorse' to partying: Sex abuser's celebration

Author: Anna Leask,
Publish Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2018, 10:21AM

Child sex offender and youth worker Devonte Mulitalo expressed "extreme remorse" in court - but hours later a video emerged showing him dancing and celebrating avoiding a prison term.

A video of Mulitalo - now registered as a child sex offender - was reportedly posted on Instagram hours after his sentencing in the Auckland District Court on Monday.

The video shows the 23-year-old Glen Innes man dancing with a male friend as others watch on.

Devonte Mulitalo was sentenced to home detention after sexually grooming and abusing a 12-year-old girl. He was a supervisor at Youth Town and the victim was under his watch at the time.

Music and laughter can be heard in the background.

A source said the video was published on Monday night.

The Herald is seeking comment from the relative and Mulitalo via his lawyer Panama Le'au'anae.

Mulitalo was sentenced to 11 months home detention for his "gross" offending against a 12-year-old girl placed under his supervision at an after-school care programme.

Judge Mary-Beth Sharp said he sent the girl graphic photos and videos of his penis and coerced her into performing sexual acts on him at a shed at an Auckland Youth Town centre.

At sentencing Mulitalo's lawyer said the offending was "profound" and his client had expressed "extreme" remorse.

He also wrote a letter of apology to his victim conveying that remorse.