ANDREW WEIR FROM DARLINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION IN BRITAIN AND THAILAND

Andrew Weir, a man residing in Darlington, has been convicted of multiple heinous crimes involving child abuse and exploitation. The investigation uncovered that Weir had accumulated a disturbing collection of child abuse videos, which included extremely graphic and illegal content. His criminal activities extended beyond mere possession, as he actively engaged in online grooming and incitement of minors to perform sexual acts.

One of the most alarming aspects of Weir’s offenses involved his communication with a 14-year-old boy in Thailand. In 2016, when Weir was 22 years old, he initiated contact with the young boy through online platforms. Over several video chats, Weir pretended to be a 15-year-old himself, creating a false sense of familiarity and trust. During these interactions, he sent explicit messages and instructed the boy to perform sexual acts via Skype. At one point, Weir threatened to hack into the boy’s phone if he did not comply with his demands, and he directed the boy on camera to carry out these acts, demonstrating a clear pattern of coercion and manipulation.

In addition to his activities abroad, Weir also targeted a 13-year-old girl in Britain. Starting in May 2022, he communicated with her through Snapchat, where he sent her explicit images and videos of himself. He then persuaded her to send him similar images in return. During these exchanges, Weir performed sexual acts on himself while watching her online, further demonstrating his predatory behavior. The girl’s parents discovered the messages and promptly reported the matter to the police, leading to Weir’s arrest in December 2022.

Following his arrest, law enforcement officials conducted a thorough examination of Weir’s electronic devices. The investigation revealed that he had downloaded ten Category A videos depicting underage girls engaged in sexual activities. Shockingly, authorities also found videos depicting a dog being sexually assaulted, highlighting the extent of his disturbing interests. These findings contributed to the multiple charges brought against him, including causing a girl to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to watch sexual acts, attempting to incite a boy to perform sex acts, and possession of indecent images and extreme pornography.

Weir faced a trial in January, during which he was found guilty on all counts. He admitted to attempting to incite a boy to perform a sex act, downloading eleven counts of indecent images, and possessing extreme pornography. The court heard how Weir, who was 30 years old at the time of sentencing, had amassed a collection of highly disturbing images and videos, causing significant harm to his victims, although he had not physically assaulted anyone.

Judge Tom Mitchell sentenced Weir to six years and six months in prison. Additionally, he ordered Weir to sign the sex offenders register for an indefinite period. To further protect potential victims, the court imposed a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order. The judge emphasized the severity of Weir’s actions and the danger posed by his online predatory behavior.

It was also noted that Weir led a largely isolated life, with his online relationships taking precedence over real-world interactions. Despite his criminal activities, reports indicate that he now has a girlfriend who is the same age as him, although the court’s focus remained on the serious nature of his offenses and the need for ongoing protection for victims.