The father of a young girl who took her own life after being blackmailed by Alexander McCartney died by suicide a year and a half after losing his child.
McCartney, a 26-year-old from the Lissummon Road outside Newry, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the 12-year-old at Belfast Crown Court. Reporting restrictions have been lifted in the case.
He earlier pleaded guilty to more than 180 charges involving more than 60 victims, including 59 counts of blackmail, dozens of charges linked to the making of indecent photographs, causing a child to engage in a sex act, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with a child.
The abuser carried out his online ‘catfishing’ of his victims between 2013 and 2019, the court heard. Many of the victims were under 13.
McCartney admitted to the manslaughter of the 12-year-old and also blackmailing over several days. The Irish News understands her father took his own life during the long running investigation into the activities of McCartney, which began in 2018.
Victim Impact Statements will be submitted to the court prior to the next hearing and sentencing.
Mr Justice John O’Hara said “this is going to be a complex sentencing exercise” and asked that a “comprehensive list” of the offences and victims is compiled.
He will sentence McCartney “as soon as possible” after the next hearing on May 16.
Online child protection expert Jim Gamble said there are ways to deal with issues surrounding a child’s interactions online, including the viewing of images and messages.
“The key is the sooner you talk to a trusted adult, the sooner something positive can be done and I’m telling you from years of experience in this field, things can be done,” the former head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre told BBC’s Good Morning Ulster.
Mr Gamble added that educating and empowering children to better protect themselves online was key to their safety.
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