Australian childcare worker charged with 202 offences over alleged sexual abuse of dozens of children as young as one
Notorious childcare paedophile Ashley Paul Griffith has been extradited from Queensland to New South Wales to stand trial on hundreds of additional charges.
The former childcare worker is currently serving life in jail in Queensland after admitting to offences against 69 girls at early learning centres in Brisbane and Italy over two decades.
He was on Friday charged with an additional 68 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10, 42 counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with a child under 10 while under authority, 69 counts of aggravated indecent assault and 23 counts of producing child abuse material.
Police said detectives identified 23 children aged between one and five who were allegedly abused by Griffith.
He was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Bail Division Local Court on Friday.
State Crime Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree, said the charges followed years of investigative work.
‘The charges laid today follow years of painstaking investigative work by Child Abuse Squad detectives and partner agencies, who have remained unwavering in their commitment to identify victims and pursue justice on their behalf,’ he said.
‘This investigation involved the forensic examination of thousands of digital files, extensive victim identification inquiries and collaboration with law enforcement partners across Australia.’
Child Abuse Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett, said identifying the children and supporting their families had been central to the investigation.
Ashley Paul Griffith (pictured) has been extradited to NSW and faces further child abuse charges
Griffith was on Friday charged with an extra 202 charges
Police said detectives identified 23 children during the investigation aged between one and five-years-old
The former childcare worker is currently serving life in jail in Queensland
‘The children identified during this investigation were between one and five years old at the time of the alleged offending and remained at the forefront of every investigative decision made by strike force detectives,’ she said.
‘Our detectives have worked tirelessly to identify victims, support their families and gather the evidence necessary to place these serious allegations before the court.’
Griffith will remain in custody in NSW until the completion of any criminal trial.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into the distribution of child abuse material/ etc is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
