My dad killed himself after he was named by ‘paedo hunters’
Daughter speaks out as eight men ‘exposed’ online commit suicide
AT least eight men killed themselves after being labelled child sex offenders by UK “paedophile hunters”, an investigation has revealed.
Michael Duff, 67, was one of those who took his own life without being charged by police. The grandfather was targeted by a “hunter” posing as a 15-yearold girl to arrange a meeting.
The dad-of-two was then named on social media and interviewed by police in July, 2015. He took his own life two days later.
His daughter Lesley, who has endured threats of rape against her and her own daughter, told the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme of her ordeal.
Lesley said: “My friend said, ‘look, I don’t really know how to say this to you Lesley, but there’s a video going round on Facebook – it’s your dad’.
“I just sort of sat in shock. I could already see mutual friends had viewed it, so there was nothing I could do.”
Her dad had allegedly contacted a fake profile used to attract and expose poten-
tial child sex offenders. Lesley told her daughter, then aged 15, that “your grandad’s a paedophile”.
Mr Duff, of Wallsend, North Tyneside, handed himself into police, had his computers confiscated and was released, before committing suicide.
His death has left his family with unanswered questions regarding his alleged actions. “This could have been a one-off thing where he’s done something stupid,” added Lesley. At least seven other people killed themselves after being confronted by paedophile hunters within the past six years. Groups including Dark Justice, Guardians Of The North and The Guardian Angels often post videos of the men they “snare” online. Dark Justice operates in the North East, but had nothing to do with Mr Duff. A spokesman said it never names a suspect before conviction as this could prejudice any later trial.
In 2017, evidence from the groups was used to charge more than 150 suspects,