A former childcare worker has pleaded guilty to more than 300 child sex offences including 28 charges of rape as well as ongoing sexual abuse and making child exploitation material.
Ashley Paul Griffith faced Brisbane district court on Monday for arraignment and replied “guilty” when each charge was read to judge Anthony Rafter and a courtroom overflowing with victims’ families and police detectives.
The 46-year-old admitted to committing offences against multiple children while working in childcare centres across Brisbane between January 2008 and August 2022.
Dressed in a striped polo shirt and jeans, the Gold Coast resident stood for two hours while the hundreds of charges were read one by one and he pleaded to each individually.
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Griffith was arrested in August 2022 by Australian federal police and originally charged with more than 1,000 offences against 91 young girls, but hundreds of charges were later dropped.
Crown prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher on Monday did not proceed with a further 13 charges of indecent treatment of a child under 12.
Griffith pleaded guilty to 190 counts of indecent treatment of a child aged under 12 while a carer, 67 counts of taking indecent photos and videos of children, and 15 counts of repeated sexual abuse of a child.
He also admitted to multiple counts of possessing child exploitation material and distributing the material outside of Australia to locations in Italy.
Gallagher told the judge a pre-sentence report and psychiatric evaluation would be ready by November
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Defence barrister Sarah Cartledge submitted that sentencing should be delayed at least a month after the reports were provided.
Rafter adjourned the matter to 9 September to discuss a sentencing date. Griffith did not seek bail and was returned to custody.
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In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. The crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. International helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org.