Child sex offender defends actions

A child sex offender who admitted five charges after explicit conversations with a 13 year old girl has taken to Facebook to defend himself. 

Andrew Peter Corkill, of North Shore Road in Ramsey, pleaded guilty to attempting to procure a child to commit an act of gross indecency and attempting to commit an act of gross indecency with a child.

Last week, a court in Douglas heard he'd been talking to the girl from the UK in an online chatroom. 

But after 3FM reported on his case, Corkill responded to the story on social media.

In a Facebook comment, Corkill said he was ignoring the advice of his legal team to respond to other comments condemning his actions.

He claimed he'd been suffering from depression and alcohol abuse and couldn't remember the online chats which took place between last July and last November.

The 37 year old apologised for his actions, and said he hadn't realised the teenage girl was under-age.

Corkill has since deleted his comment, and his account is now unviewable.

He's been bailed while social enquiry reports are compiled, and will be sentenced on October 13.