‘CATFISHING’ ACCUSED ADMITS TO GIRL’S MANSLAUGHTER AND CHILD ABUSE RAPS

A MAN at the centre of an international ‘catfishing’ investigation yesterdy admitted the manslaughter of a 12-year-old girl.

Alexander McCartney (26) was informed he will be sentenced for this offence — alongside over 180 charges connected mostly to child abuse — later this year.

He appeared at Belfast Crown Court yesterday where he was re-arraigned on a charge of manslaughter. He was charged that on May 11, 2018 he unlawfully killed a female child.

Asked how he pleaded, McCartney, of Lissummon Road just outside Newry, replied “guilty”.

He also admitted a charge of blackmailing the same child between May 7 and May 11, 2018. At two previous court hearings in January 2021 and February 2022, McCartney admitted over 180 charges spanning over a period from 2013 to 2019.

These proceedings were subject to reporting restrictions which were lifted yesterday.

Catfishing involves using a fake online identity to target other online users which then leads to online sexual abuse, exploitation and blackmail.

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In this case, there are over 60 victims from as far afield as America and New Zealand, many of whom were contacted via Snapchat.

The charges McCartney had admitted to include multiple offences of causing a child to engage in a sex act, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with a child. He also admitted over 50 charges of blackmail and multiple offences of possessing indecent images of children.

After McCartney pleaded guilty to the manslaughter and blackmail charges, his barrister

Greg Berry KC confirmed that all the charges faced by his client have now been put to him. Describing the case as “complex”, Mr Berry said he would be seeking reports ahead of 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 said he would hear the plea on May 16. McCartney was remanded in custody.