A man has confessed to the manslaughter of a 12-year-old girl in one of the world’s largest catfishing child abuse investigations. Alexander McCartney, a 25-year-old from Newry, County Down, has pleaded guilty to 185 charges involving over 60 victims. The case revolves around the use of a fake identity to perpetrate online abuse, exploitation, and blackmail of children, with the tragic death of the 12-year-old girl in 2018.
McCartney’s guilty pleas, previously under media restrictions, were revealed at Belfast Crown Court, allowing reporting on the extensive charges spanning from 2013 to 2019 and affecting victims in New Zealand and the USA. The complexity of the sentencing process was highlighted by Mr. Justice O’Hara, requesting a detailed list of offenses for each victim to understand the full scope of the crimes committed by McCartney.
The investigation into McCartney began in 2018 after a report of blackmail on Snapchat in Scotland, leading authorities to uncover a disturbing collection of images on his devices. These images depicted young girls in compromising situations, prompting further investigations that unveiled additional victims.
With dozens of charges related to blackmail, distribution of indecent photographs, and incitement of sexual activity, McCartney faces a long list of serious offenses that have shocked communities in Newry and beyond. The case sheds light on the dangers of online exploitation and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from such predatory behavior.
Read More Breaking News
