A Co Armagh man accused of one of the worst cases of catfishing ever seen – which resulted in a 12-year-old girl taking her own life – has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 20 years behind bars.
Alexander McCartney, 26, of Lissummon Road, outside Newry, pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier this year after Cimarron Thomas, who was from The United States, killed herself.
Belfast Crown Court today heard that there were 70 victims, stemming from the 185 charges he faced, and involved the severe sexual exploitation of young girls aged between 10 to 16 on social media, mostly Snapchat.
Pretending to be a young girl, McCartney befriended victims on social media sites and manipulated them into sending him an initial nude image of themselves.
He then quickly revealed himself as a ‘catfish’ – someone who takes on a false online identity to target victims. He threatened thousands of terrified children into sending him indecent images and videos of themselves, forcing them to engage in depraved and sometimes dangerous sexual acts.
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Mr Justice O’Hara referenced the “unquantifiable harm” caused to his many victims, whose “childhoods have been scarred by this defendant”.
McCartney targeted teenage girls who were either gay, or struggling with their sexuality.
“His choice was particularly calculating and sinister because, the fact that they were exploring homosexuality, added an additional layer of security to his actions,” said Justice O’Hara.
The PPS worked closely with the PSNI and other partners including Homeland Security in the US to bring McCartney to justice.
Acting Head of the PPS Serious Crime Unit Catherine Kierans said: “Every case involving child sexual offences is disturbing and causes long-lasting harm to victims. However, McCartney’s depravity was such that this is one of the most distressing and prolific cases of child sexual abuse we have ever seen in the PPS. The damage McCartney caused to so many young lives is immeasurable.
“All McCartney’s victims were young, innocent children. Some of the estimated 3,500 girls he targeted, who were as young as 10, were already struggling with identity and body image issues and had reached out for help on social media. He sought to exploit that vulnerability in the most shocking ways. Some children pleaded for him to stop the abuse but he callously continued, at times forcing the victims to involve younger children, some aged just four.
“McCartney had victims in countries across the world. Given the scale and complexity of his offending, the PPS worked closely with the PSNI from early in their investigation to advise on lines of enquiry and the evidence needed to build the most effective case.
“Tragically, one of his young victims, who was just 12, had taken her own life during an online chat in which he was threatening her and forcing her to engage in sexual activity. The two had never met in person. Working closely with police, the prosecution team was able to establish to the criminal standard that McCartney’s actions had caused the girl’s death and he had a case to answer for manslaughter.
“This new application of the law was rightly tested in court including challenge from the defence. However, after legal argument, the trial judge agreed with the PPS and McCartney eventually pleaded guilty to killing the girl. We believe this to be the first time an abuser anywhere in the world has been held accountable for manslaughter where the victim and perpetrator have never met in person.”
Ms Kierans explained that the PPS was also able to apply the offence of blackmail, which normally concerns physical property, to the digital images McCartney was demanding.
“In the initial stages of this case in 2019, the use of online ‘catfishing’ to abuse victims was relatively new to police and prosecutors in this jurisdiction. The PPS team set out the reasons why the digital images McCartney demanded from the children should constitute property under the offence of blackmail, and the judge made a ruling to this effect,” she said.
“While no case has reached the scale of this one, we have since been able to prosecute suspects for blackmail in other cases of this type where the evidence allows it. This means that we are better able to use the full extent of the law to hold abusers responsible for their actions and keep potential victims safer.”
Ms Kierans said today was about the victims, some of whom have never been identified despite exhaustive efforts by investigators.
She said: “McCartney’s crimes have harmed thousands of children and left them and their families dealing with the traumatic aftermath. Their courage stands in stark contrast to his cowardice in targeting vulnerable young girls.
“I want to recognise their bravery, which has been an inspiration to everyone who worked on this case. The police and prosecution teams, including the senior independent barristers who assisted with this case, were dedicated to working together to end the harm McCartney was causing.
“McCartney’s conviction sends a message to other abusers – your actions have devastating consequences on vulnerable children, and there is nowhere to hide from the justice system.
“This case, including the manslaughter conviction, shows that police and the PPS will pursue and prosecute offenders for the most serious offences where the evidence allows it.
“My most important message is for children and young people: if someone is threatening you by demanding sexual images or videos, this is a crime. You are not to blame. Please talk to a trusted adult.
“To parents, guardians and all those who care for children: talking to your child is one of the best ways to keep them safe online. It is by bringing these issues out into the open that we can break the cycle of secrecy abusers rely on and help keep children safe.
“If you have a child safeguarding or protection concern including about any online or physical activity involving a child, please report it to police.”
