Brisbane childcare worker Ashley Paul Griffith pleads guilty to 300 child sex offences

Ashley Paul Griffith appeared in Brisbane District Court today to face a summons and entered a guilty plea as the charges were read out to Judge Anthony Rafter. The courtroom was packed with victims’ families and detectives.

Wearing a striped polo shirt and jeans, the Gold Coast resident stood for two hours as the hundreds of charges were read out one by one and he made a separate appeal under each charge.

Griffith was arrested by Australian Federal Police in August 2022 and originally charged with more than 1,000 offences against 91 young girls, but hundreds of charges were later dropped.

District Attorney Stephanie Gallagher today decided not to file further charges on 13 other counts of indecent assault on a child under the age of 12.

Griffith pleaded guilty to 190 counts of indecent exposure of children under the age of 12 while in charge of their child, 67 counts of making indecent photographs and videos of children and 15 counts of repeated sexual abuse of a child.

He also admitted possessing child exploitation material on multiple occasions and distributing the material outside Australia, for example to locations in Italy.

Gallagher told Judge Rafter that the pre-sentence report and psychiatric evaluation would be completed in November.

Defence lawyer Sarah Cartledge argued that sentencing should be deferred for at least a month after the reports were provided.

Judge Rafter adjourned the case until September 9 to discuss a date for sentencing.

Griffith did not apply for bail and was remanded into custody.

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via blue on 1300 22 4636.

Child Helpline 1800 55 1800.