Childcare Worker Pleads Guilty to 300+ Sex Offences

Ashley Paul Griffith, a former childcare worker, has pleaded guilty to over 300 child sex offences, including rape and making child exploitation material, in a Brisbane District Court. Arrested in August 2022, Griffith originally faced over 1,600 charges, many of which were later dropped, with the final charges relating to around 60 victims. He admitted to 190 counts of indecent treatment of children under 12, 67 counts of producing indecent material, and 15 counts of repeated sexual abuse. The offences occurred between 2003 and 2022 in various locations across Australia and Italy. Sentencing is expected to take place later this year, with the court needing ample time to hear victim impact statements and review pre-sentence and psychiatric reports. Griffith remains in custody and did not seek bail.