Petition urges jail for sex abuser

A petition has been launched calling for a jail term for an Auckland youth worker who groomed and sexually abused a young girl in his care.

Devonte Vincent Walter Mulitalo was on Monday sentenced to 11 months’ home detention for his “gross” offending against a 12-year-old placed under his supervision at an after-school care programme.

Mulitalo, 23, 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.

The Glen Innes man claimed “extreme” remorse and wrote a letter of apology to his victim.

But a photograph later emerged of him at Halloween, dressed as a prison inmate and referring to his upcoming sentencing, where an indication had been given he would receive home detention instead of going to jail.

On Monday night a petition began calling on Mulitalo to be resentenced.

“New Zealand we need to do better,” said petition organiser Rosa Reddy on the page. “This is not justice.

“That little girl and her family have been served life sentences for what this monster has done. Sign this petition to ensure he gets what he deserves — his time in prison.”

By noon yesterday more than 400 people had signed the petition, which is directed at Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Judge Mary-Beth Sharp who sentenced Mulitalo, the Crown, which prosecuted the case, and the Government in general.

Mulitalo’s lawyer and the Crown have been contacted for comment.