‘Thousands’ of children molested by Britain’s worst catfish, Alexander McCartney, urged to come forward

We encourage approximately 3,500 children who are suspected of being victims of violence by a “dangerous, ruthless and cruel pedophile” to come forward.

Warning: This article contains references to suicide and child sexual abuse that readers may find disturbing.

Northern Ireland Justice Minister Naomi Long comments on Alexander McCartney – one of the world’s most prolific internet criminals – who sentenced to at least 20 years in prison on Friday in Belfast.

McCartney, 26, from South Armagh, Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty to 185 chargesincluding the murder of a girl who took her own life.

He befriended children online by pretending to be girls and then blackmailed them into sending him vulgar photos.

“The sad thing about all this is that some of these victims may never be identified,” Long told BBC Radio Ulster.

“Many of these children were terrified of what would happen to them if they told what they had done because they felt guilty about their behavior.

“I would certainly encourage anyone who has been the victim of such violence by McCartney or others to come forward to their local police and tell them what is happening.”

During McCartney’s trial, Belfast Crown Court heard from victims aged 10 to 16, living in the UK, US, continental Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Prosecutors said he pretended to be someone else online, known as “catfishing,” and then “degraded and humiliated” his victims.

Devices confiscated from his bedroom contained thousands of indecent images and videos of underage girls.

One of McCartney’s victims Cimarron Thomas, 12, from West Virginia, she shot herself with her father’s gun. Her father Ben Thomas, a former U.S. Army veteran, died by suicide 18 months later.

Ms Long, leader of the Alliance Party, also paid tribute to officers who “spent hours watching material that no human being should ever have to watch to ensure this case went to trial”.

She added: “At least the perpetrator of the violence has been identified and will spend a significant amount of time in prison.”

Although he was imprisoned on charges involving 70 victims, the number of children he molested is believed to be around 3,500.

:: Anyone who is feeling emotionally distressed or having thoughts of suicide can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call your local Samaritans branch or 1 (800) 273-TALK.