David John Andrews, 55, was sentenced to 27 years for grooming and abusing 47 victims across the UK, including children as young as eight.
Belfast: A 55-year-old man named David John Andrews has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for his horrific crimes. He posed as a teenage boy on social media to lure young girls into his trap.
Andrews was found guilty of 130 charges of sexual abuse involving 47 victims, most of whom were children. The judge said he would serve at least 13 and a half years before being considered for parole.
His methods were chilling. He would contact girls on Snapchat and Instagram, pretending to be a boy their age. His youngest victim was just eight years old.
Once he gained their trust, he coerced them into sending him explicit images. If they refused, he threatened to share their private photos with friends or online.
Andrews had been in custody for over four years while the investigation unfolded. The police started looking into him after reports from Derbyshire Police about underage girls being groomed online.
Detectives quickly identified Andrews and arrested him at his home in Belfast, where they seized electronic devices for evidence. His actions have left a lasting impact on his victims, causing them immense fear and trauma.
The head of the Public Prosecution Service described him as a “dangerous and devious paedophile” who exploited vulnerable children. His case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers lurking online.
