David John Andrews sentenced to 27 years | Global News Avenue

A ‘prolific and chilling’ sex abuser jailed 27 years in prison.

David John Andrews, 55, of Maghaberry Prison, admitted 130 charges of sexual abuse.

The charges include attempted rape, threats to kill and inciting children to engage in sexual activity, involving 47 victims, 46 of whom were children at the time of the offences.

The judge told the court that much of the details of Andrews’ crimes were “too tragic and despicable to be repeated”.

Andrews must serve at least 13 and a half years before he is eligible for parole.

Downpatrick Crown Court was told his youngest victim was just eight years old and the attempted rape charge involved a severely disabled young woman.

Many of the charges related to Catfish – who often impersonated young boys and blackmailed children into engaging in sexual activity.

Threats of violence were common and he sometimes gave children money to buy photos.

He used images of some of his victims in exchange for other illegal and pornographic images.

He also admitted attempting to arrange for child prostitution

Many of the charges come from 2019 and 2020. Andrews has been remanded in custody for more than four years.

Andrews’ defense lawyer told the court he had complex mental health issues and had been self-medicating with cocaine at the time of the offence.

The judge said Andrews’ offending was “well thought out and determined” and the graphic details of the case showed the “depth of depravity” involved.

One of his victims told the BBC about her experience with Andrews.

Claire (not her real name) was 13 when Andrews trolled and groomed her on Instagram, and she believed he was 13 too.

Claire said: “It started as a friendly conversation and then became more of a threat to send photos and eventually I did send them.”

“He would threaten my friends and become very aggressive. As soon as I sent them, things got worse and he was asking for them every day and I was sending them away,” she said.

When Claire stopped sending photos to Andrews, he threatened her, promising he would share them with her friends and school.

“He went through my follower list from school and friends and sent them to those people. The photos were then sent around the school,” she said.

“It devastated me, I left school for a few months and never fully went back. I had suicidal, self-harming tendencies every day. It hit me hard, it destroyed a lot of my family ties and I almost lost Everything.” Friends, I blame myself. “

Claire’s mum also spoke to the BBC about the crimes against her daughter.

“It makes you feel like you’ve failed as a parent. She was scared in the bedroom and sending these pictures because he was threatening her and I didn’t know anything, if I had known I could have intervened,” she said.

“When the truth came out we had to set alarms at night to make sure she wasn’t doing anything to herself. She just kept blaming herself.”

Claire said the repercussions of Andrews’ actions have haunted her for years.

Claire said: “No one could help me, I was so self-righteous, I didn’t need help, I thought I deserved what was happening to me.”

She has been waiting for Andrews to be sentenced for more than four years: “Taking the case to court has been a long and tortuous process. I feel locked up. I can’t go out and play like a normal kid. I’m always waiting for the next phone call. Come find out what’s going on,” she said.

“I wish I could finally be done with this part of my life. I’m still mentally unstable and I don’t think I’ll ever be. I’m mortified but ultimately it’s not your fault, you’re the one who took me a long time to I don’t think it’s my fault.”

Claire’s mom has a simple message for other parents.

“As a parent it’s devastating for her. She’s going to build her life but it will always be in the background.

“To other parents, all I can say is, check their devices and if your child comes forward and tells you something, believe every word they say, some people won’t believe the story but it turns out every word is real.”

If you are affected by the issues raised in this story, you can visit BBC Action Line Ask for support.