http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/gary-cleary-hangs-himself-after-2280871
Gary Cleary suicide: Man hangs himself after vigilantes accuse him of being a paedophile
He was arrested after being confronted by the group who lure suspected sex offenders into real-life meetings by posing as young girls online
Facebook
A man committed suicide days after vigilantes accused him of being a paedophile and grooming a child on the web.
Gary Cleary, 29, was arrested after being confronted in public by undercover online group Letzgo Hunting.
The vigilantes lure suspected sex offenders into real-life meetings by posing as young girls online.
Members then video confrontations and post footage on Facebook and YouTube before tipping off police.
Mr Cleary, who lived with his college worker girlfriend Melissa Andrews, was confronted in public by Letzgo Hunting members four months ago.
He was arrested and questioned by detectives from Leicestershire Police on May 9 after they were shown the footage.
The engineer, from Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire, was released on bail while officers looked at allegations.
He was found dead at home four days later.
A coroner last week recorded a verdict of suicide – but no mention of Letzgo Hunting was made at the inquest.
The hearing in Loughborough, Leicestershire, was told how a relative found Mr Cleary hanged in the garage of his semi-detached home.
Coroner Trevor Kirkman said: “Whatever may have occurred, or whatever may be thought to have occurred, is not a matter I need to go into.”
A relative of Melissa’s, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s a tragedy and has left everyone extremely upset.”
Criticising Letzgo Hunting, he added: “It’s a sad reflection on modern life that vigilantes operate on the internet.”
Mr Cleary’s family had no comment.
Letzgo Hunting was set up by three men and a woman, assisted by 13 helpers, in Hinckley, Leics, this year.
The founder, “Jamie”, said he would not change methods in the wake of Mr Cleary’s death.
He added: “We feel sorry for his family for the loss.”
Letzgo Hunting has led to the arrest of 12 in the county, but no charges.
The Association of Chief Police Officers said Letzgo Hunting’s tactics could allow suspects to dispose of any key evidence before the police became involved.
No comments:
Post a Comment