An online predator from the North is due to be sentenced for 185 charges relating to one of world's largest investigations into catfishing. 26-year-old Alexander McCarthy, of Lissummon Road in Newry, Co Armagh, admitted the charges connected to 70 children - one of whom died by suicide.
Andrew Lowth reports: "These offenses involve victims from all over the world, including Australia, New Zealand and the United States - and they took place between 2014 and 2019. Alexander McCartney posed as a young girl on social media platforms such as Snap chat to befriend other girls - before he blackmailed them.
"Among the 185 charges was that of manslaughter after 12 year old Cimarron Thomas - a native of West Virginia in the US - took her own life in May 2018 instead of complying with Mr McCartney's demands. Her father Ben Thomas also died by suicide 18 months later. Other charges he admitted were blackmail, the making and distribution of indecent photographs and inciting children to engage in sexual activity. He's due to be sentenced today at Belfast Crown Court."
