An online predator from County Armagh is due to be sentenced in one of the world’s largest-ever investigations into online catfishing.
Alexander McCartney, of Lissummon Road in Newry, has pleaded guilty to 185 charges, including the manslaughter of a 12-year-old US girl who took her own life.
The offences involve victims aged between 10 and 16 years old from all over the world – including Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and the US.
The offences all took place between 2014 and 2019.
The manslaughter charge relates to the death of 12-year-old West Virginia girl Cimarron Thomas, who took her own life in May 2018.
Her father Ben Thomas died by suicide 18 months later.
A memorial image for 12-year-old Cimarron Thomas, who took her own life in May 2018. Image: FacebookMcCartney posed as a young girl on social media platforms such as Snapchat to befriend young girls before persuading them to send him images.
He then used the images to blackmail them into sending him more graphic material.
The former computer science student has pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter, 59 counts of blackmail, and 70 counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
He further admitted dozens of charges related to the making and distribution of indecent images of children.
‘Utterly remorseless’
At a pre-sentencing hearing the prosecution told the court he appeared to be “utterly remorseless” regarding his crimes.
They said he had been “particularly callous” in his actions – deliberately targeting victims who were either gay or exploring their sexuality before ‘degrading and humiliating’ them.
Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service has described the case as the largest and most complex sexual offences case it has ever handled.
If you have been impacted by any of the issues discussed in this article you can contact the CARI Helpline on 0818 924 567.
Anyone with concerns about online safety can contact Parentline on 01 873 3500.
With reporting from IRN.