A former childcare worker, Ashley Paul Griffith, has confessed to hundreds of child sex abuse charges in Queensland. Griffith, who worked at several childcare centers, was initially charged with a few offenses when arrested by Australian Federal Police (AFP) in August 2022. However, following an extensive investigation, thousands more charges were added after additional child abuse material was discovered on his devices.
In Brisbane District Court, the gallery was packed with victims’ families and federal police. Griffith was set to plead to 320 charges, but 13 were dropped by prosecutors on Monday. He pleaded guilty to 307 charges, including 190 counts of indecent treatment of children, 67 counts of making child exploitation material, 28 counts of rape, 15 counts of maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child, and various other related offenses.
The charges span from 2003 to 2022. When asked if he had any comments, Griffith shook his head and remained silent. A sentencing date will be arranged for November, with the Director of Public Prosecutions overseeing the case. Crown prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher noted that many victims may give impact statements and requested pre-sentence and psychiatric reports for Griffith.
Judge Anthony Rafter scheduled a further mention for September 9. Griffith was initially charged with two counts of making child exploitation material and one count of using a carriage service for child pornography in August 2022. Additional charges emerged after more abuse material was found on his devices a year later.
Griffith is alleged to have abused pre-pubescent girls at ten Brisbane childcare centers between 2007 and 2013, and again from 2018 to 2022. Further alleged offenses took place in Europe between 2013 and 2014 and in Sydney from 2014 to 2017. Investigators first discovered videos and photos of his abuse on the dark web in 2014, linking them to a Brisbane center when he was arrested.
The AFP has confirmed that all 87 Australian children identified in the material have been informed, some of whom are now adults. Griffith has previously worked at other centers but is not alleged to have committed offenses there.
Under Queensland law, Griffith’s identity was initially protected by legislation preventing the naming of alleged sexual offenders until they are committed to stand trial. Recent changes in the law now allow for his identification.