Man Sentenced for Sexual Assault of Boy He Met Online

On October 6th, 2022, 40-year-old David Alexander Murphy of Derbyshire was sentenced to over 12 years in prison at Derby Crown Court. He had pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the sexual assault of an 11-year-old boy he met online.

According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), Murphy used a fake Irish passport under the name “Alex McClean” to open a PayPal account. He sent money to the victim after meeting him in person. The agency began investigating Murphy after receiving intelligence about his activities.

The 11-year-old victim confirmed to NCA officers that he had met a man named “Alex” from Derby online in spring 2021. Their conversations moved to WhatsApp, where Murphy sent intimate photos and requested the same from the boy.

On June 1, 2021, Murphy drove to Suffolk and met the victim in a village. He took the boy to a wooded area and sexually assaulted him. The boy provided a description of Murphy and his rented vehicle, allowing investigators to gather further evidence.

NCA officers arrested Murphy in March 2022. A search of his home uncovered two Irish passports, one in his real name and one in the fake name. They also found devices capable of storing data, which Murphy failed to report as required as a registered sex offender.

In addition to the over 12-year sentence, Murphy will be on the Sex Offender Register for life and subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He had prior convictions in 2012 and 2017 related to sexual offenses against minors.

The NCA emphasized the predatory nature of Murphy‘s actions and thanked the victim for his bravery in speaking out. The agency highlighted the need for vigilance by parents and children online to guard against online child sexual abuse.