Strabane man Gerard Murray jailed for 152 child sex offences

Gerard Murray will spend five years in prison

A Strabane man has been jailed after he admitted 152 child sexual abuse offences.

Gerard Murray, 35, originally from Melvin Court, Strabane, will spend five years in prison and five on licence.

Police said his offending spanned an 11-year period until 2021 and involved 40 young male victims.

The offences included sexual communication with a child and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Other offences included causing a child to watch a sexual act and making an indecent photograph or adapted image of a child.

Judge Brian Sherrard told Dungannon Crown Court the number of offences was overwhelming.

"The court cannot help but be stunned," he said. "This was gross depravity."

He said Murray used threats, promises and gifts to get his way with victims.

Judge Sherrard placed Murray on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period. He will also be subject to a sexual offences prevention order indefinitely.

Murray had targeted boys as young as eight by posing as a teenage girl on Snapchat, and then manipulated them into sending indecent images and videos, said a police spokeswoman after the sentencing.

"He has caused serious and long-lasting harm on the many boys that he preyed upon and their families. I want to thank them today for being so incredibly brave and assisting our investigations," said Det Ch Insp Lorraine McCutcheon.