'Thousands' of children abused by Britain's worst catfish, Alexander McCartney, called for them to come forward

Around 3,500 children believed to have been abused by a “dangerous, ruthless, cruel pedophile” are being encouraged to come forward.

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

Northern Ireland’s Justice Secretary Naomi Long has commented on Alexander McCartney – one of the world’s most prolific online perpetrators – who will be sentenced to at least twenty years in prison on Friday in Belfast.

McCartney, 26, from south Armagh in Northern Ireland, admitted 185 chargesincluding the manslaughter of a girl who committed suicide.

He befriended children online by pretending to be a girl and then blackmailed them into sending him explicit images.

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

‘Many of these children were terrified of what would happen to them if they spoke up about what they had done because they felt guilty about their behaviour.

“I would certainly encourage anyone who has been abused in this way by McCartney or others to come to their local police and report what is happening.”

During McCartney’s trial, Belfast Crown Court heard that the victims were aged between 10 and 16 and were based in Britain, the 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 seized from his bedroom contained thousands of indecent photos and videos of underage girls.

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

Ms Long, leader of the Alliance Party, also paid tribute to officers who “spent hours reviewing material that no human being should ever see to ensure this case could be brought to justice”.

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

Although he was imprisoned on charges related to 70 victims, the number of children he abused is believed to be approximately 3,500.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, you can call your nearest Samaritans branch or 1 (800) 273-TALK.