David John Andrews was sentenced to 27 years in prison.

A “cool and cool” sex offender from Northern Ireland has been sentenced. 27 years in prison.

David John Andrews, 55, with an address at Mughberry Prison, pleaded guilty to 130 counts of sexual assault.

The charges — including attempted rape, threats to kill and soliciting children for sexual activity — relate to 47 victims, 46 of whom were children at the time of the crimes.

Many of Andrews’ victims were from England.

The judge told the court that most of the details of the criminal proceedings were “very painful and disgusting”.

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

Downpatrick Crown Court was told his youngest victim was eight and the attempted rape charges relate to a young woman who was severely disabled.

Many of the charges related to catfishing – he regularly posed as a young boy and blackmailed children into engaging in sexual activities.

Threats of violence were common and he sometimes offered children money for photographs.

He used pictures of some of his victims in exchange for other illegal and obscene pictures.

He also admitted to trying to arrange child prostitution.

Many of the allegations are from 2019 and 2020. Andrews has been on remand for more than four years.

Andrews’ defense barrister told the court he had complex mental health problems and was self-medicating with cocaine at the time of the offence.

The judge said Andrews was “calculated and determined” in his crime and the graphic details of the case showed the “depth of depravity” involved.

One of his victims has spoken to the BBC about her experiences with Andrews.

Claire, not her real name, was 13 when Andrews catfished her on Instagram and groomed her, believing he was also 13.

“At first it was a friendly conversation and then it escalated into sending pictures, and in the end I sent them,” Claire said.

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

When Claire stopped sending the pictures to Andrews, he threatened her, promising to share the pictures with his friends and school.

“He saw my follower list from my school and friends, and he sent them to those people. Then the pictures were sent around the school,” she said.

“It destroyed me, I dropped out of school for months and I never fully went back. I was suicidal every day, self-harming. It closed in on me so much, it destroyed many of my family ties, I almost lost all my friends, I blamed myself.”

Claire’s mother has also spoken to the BBC about the crimes against her daughter.

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

“After it all came out we had to set the alarm at night to make sure he didn’t do anything to himself. He just blamed and blamed himself.”

Claire says the effects of Andrews’ actions stayed with her for years.

“Nobody could help me, I was so far out of my mind, I didn’t want help, I thought I deserved what happened to me,” Claire said.

He waited more than four years for Andrews to be sentenced: “It’s been a long and difficult process to take the case to court. I feel like I’ve been locked up. I go out like a normal kid. I can’t have fun. I’m constantly waiting for the next phone call to see what’s going on,” she said.

“I hope I can finally put a lid on that part of my life. I’m still not mentally stable, I don’t think I ever will be. I was embarrassed but in the end it’s you. It’s not your fault. It took me ages to think it wasn’t my fault.”

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

“It’s been devastating as a parent. She will build a life but it will always be in the background.

“All I can say to other parents is, check their devices, and if your child comes to tell you something, believe every word they say, some people don’t believe the story. , but every word turned out to be true.”

Catherine Cairns, head of the Public Prosecution Service’s (PPS) serious crime unit, described Andrews as a “dangerous and deviant pedophile”.

“His actions caused a lot of fear, distress and trauma to victims, some of whom bravely raised the alarm, ultimately culminating today.

“I want to pay tribute to the courage of his victims, including those who were willing to testify in court and confront Andrews if he had not pleaded guilty.”

Ms Cairns warned all those who care for children and young people to be aware of the dangers posed by online predators.

“If you feel you are being targeted in this way, you are not alone and you are not to blame. Please reach out to a trusted adult and talk.”

Speaking at a press conference, Det Ch Insp Jill Duffie described Andrews as a “vicious predator” who committed “heinous crimes”.

“Today’s sentence serves as a warning to those who operate online and hide behind fake accounts and firewalls.

“You will be caught and when you are you will face the full force of the law.”

“These convictions and the major cases coming to court should reassure people that there is no hiding place for this type of criminal,” he added.

DCI Duffy said his team carried out searches and arrests for this behavior “weekly, if not daily”.

“We work closely with all law enforcement agencies across the UK, we receive intelligence on a daily basis,” he said.

“Virtually every child and young person across the UK has access to a smartphone.

“We, along with other police forces, are seeing an increase in these types of crimes.

“We would therefore appeal to anyone who feels they have been victimized by Andrews or anyone else to come forward and report it to the police,” he added.

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