Former daycare worker Ashley Paul Griffith has been charged with more than 200 further child abuse offences against 23 children, following a joint investigation by NSW Police and the AFP. The charges relate to children aged between one and five who were allegedly abused while Griffith was employed at a childcare centre in Sydney's inner west between July 2014 and December 2017.
The 202 fresh charges include 68 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10, 42 counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with a child under 10, 69 counts of aggravated indecent assault and 23 counts of producing child abuse material.
Griffith, 48, was arrested at Silverwater Correctional Complex on Friday morning, where he was being held after his extradition from Queensland.
NSW Police Child Abuse Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett described the alleged crimes as “horrific” and said she hoped the charges would give the victims’ families “some sort of closure”. “We’re talking about the [alleged] sexual abuse of small children over an extended period of time … Not only horrific for the victims, but also their families as well,” she told reporters. “I’d like to say to anyone who offends against children, I give you this promise: it’s only a matter of time before we arrest you.”
State crime commander Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree called the allegations “deeply disturbing”. “They involve some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Every child deserves to be safe and protected from harm,” he said.
Griffith made no application for bail on Friday. He will remain in custody in NSW until the completion of any criminal trial, and is due to return to court on January 19.
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Breakdown of 202 additional charges against Ashley Paul Griffith
charges
Alleged offences took place between July 2014 and December 2017. Source: NSW Police
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Analysis
Why This Matters
The scale of the alleged offending, involving 23 children under five, makes this one of the most extensive child abuse cases to reach court in NSW.
The case highlights the significant police resources required to investigate historic institutional abuse against vulnerable children.
The accused remains in custody, and families face a potentially lengthy wait for the matter to proceed to trial.
Background
Ashley Paul Griffith, a 48-year-old Queensland man, was already being held at Silverwater Correctional Complex after his extradition from Queensland to face related charges. The latest charges were laid following a lengthy investigation by the NSW Child Abuse Squad and the Australian Federal Police, which identified 23 alleged victims who were in his care at a childcare centre in Sydney's inner west.
What to Watch
The next court date on January 19, when the charges will be formally put and a plea may be entered.
Whether the investigation identifies any further victims or additional charges.
Any policy responses or reviews into childcare safeguarding prompted by the case.
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
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SupportedThe headline says the former childcare worker was charged with additional 200 child abuse offences against 23 children.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “A notorious paedophile and former daycare worker has been charged with more than 200 child abuse offences against 23 children in Sydney’s inner west”
SupportedPolice allege Griffith abused children aged one to five in Sydney’s inner west while he worked at a childcare centre between July 2014 and December 2017.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “identified 23 children aged between one and five who were allegedly sexually abused by Griffith while in his care. The offences occurred while Griffith was employed at a childcare centre, and spanned the period between July 2014 and December 2017.”
SupportedThe charges followed an investigation by NSW Police and the AFP.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “following a lengthy investigation by NSW Police and the AFP.”
SupportedGriffith made no application for bail on Friday.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Griffith made no application for bail on Friday.”
SupportedThe story says there were 202 fresh charges: 68 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10, 42 aggravated counts of that offence, 69 aggravated indecent assault counts and 23 counts of producing child abuse material.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The 202 offences included 68 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10, 42 counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with a child under 10, 69 counts of aggravated indecent assault, and 23 counts of producing child abuse material.”
SupportedGriffith, 48, was arrested at Silverwater Correctional Complex on Friday morning after being extradited from Queensland.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Queensland man Ashley Paul Griffith, 48, was arrested at Silverwater Correctional Complex on Friday morning, where he was being detained after he was extradited to NSW from Queensland on Wednesday.”
SupportedHowlett described the alleged crimes as “horrific” and said she hoped the charges would bring the victims’ families “some sort of closure”.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett told the media on Friday that the alleged crimes were “horrific”. ... She said she hoped the charges against Griffith would provide the families of victims “some sort of closure”.”
SupportedHowlett said: “We’re talking about the [alleged] sexual abuse of small children over an extended period of time … Not only horrific for the victims, but also their families as well,”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““We’re talking about the [alleged] sexual abuse of small children over an extended period of time … Not only horrific for the victims, but also their families as well.””
SupportedHowlett said: “I’d like to say to anyone who offends against children, I give you this promise: it’s only a matter of time before we arrest you.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““I’d like to say to anyone who offends against children, I give you this promise: it’s only a matter of time before we arrest you.””
SupportedGreentree called the allegations “deeply disturbing” and said they involved vulnerable community members and every child deserved safety and protection from harm.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “State crime commander Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree called the allegations “deeply disturbing”. “They involve some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Every child deserves to be safe and protected from harm.””
SupportedGriffith will remain in custody in NSW until the completion of any criminal trial.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The 48-year-old will remain in custody in NSW until the completion of any criminal trial.”
SupportedGriffith is due to return to court on January 19.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “He will return to court on January 19.”