‘Catfish’ admits manslaughter of girl, 12, after he blackmailed her online

A British man at the centre of one of the world’s largest catfishing investigations has admitted to the unlawful killing of a 12-year-old girl whom he had blackmailed.

Alexander McCartney, 26, appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and a separate charge of blackmail.

He was arrested and charged following the girl’s death on May 11 2018 when she took her own life.

The 12-year-old victim, who is not from the UK, cannot be named for legal reasons.

It can now be reported McCartney, from County Armagh, has pleaded guilty to 185 offences, mostly relating to child abuse, spanning a six-year period.

Police have investigated him in relation to more than 60 catfishing incidents with victims identified in the US and New Zealand, many of which were believed to be through Snapchat.

Catfishing involves using a fake online identity to target potential victims which can then lead to blackmail and sexual exploitation.

Charges McCartney has previously admitted include about 50 offences of blackmail and multiple counts of possessing indecent images of children.

These were subject to reporting restrictions that were lifted by Mr Justice O’Hara on Monday.

McCartney was arrested in 2018 after a complaint received by Police Scotland led to a search of his home in Newry and the seizure of his mobile phone.

He has been in police custody since July 2019 and currently resides at Maghaberry prison.

Mr Justice O’Hara said he is likely to sentence McCartney in May after requesting a comprehensive list of his offending and victims.

Greg Berry KC, representing McCartney, said he will provide the judge with pre-sentence reports no later than May 16.