One of Australia’s worst pedophiles will begin a two-day sentence for more than 300 sexual offenses committed while working in childcare centres.
Ashley Paul Griffith, 46, pleaded guilty in September in the Brisbane District Court to 28 counts of rape against girls, as well as ongoing sexual abuse and making child exploitation material.
Griffith is due back in court on Thursday following an adjournment for psychiatric and pre-sentence reports.
He also pleaded guilty to 190 counts of indecent treatment of children under 12 while a carer, 67 counts of taking indecent photographs and videos of children and 15 counts of repeated sexual abuse of a child.
Crown prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher had requested a two-day sentence that would conclude on Friday.
“There are a large number of victims in this case and members of their families who I suspect will be interested in providing impact statements,” Ms Gallagher previously told Judge Anthony Rafter.
Griffith committed the crimes at nurseries in various Brisbane suburbs over a span of almost 20 years.
The Gold Coast resident remained in the dock during his earlier arraignment for two hours as hundreds of charges were read to Judge Rafter in a courtroom packed with victims’ relatives and police detectives.
Former childcare worker Ashley Paul Griffith, 46 (pictured), will face a two-day hearing in the Brisbane District Court this week after pleading guilty to hundreds of child sex offences.
The Gold Coast resident remained in the dock during his previous arraignment for two hours as hundreds of charges were read to Judge Rafter in a courtroom packed with victims’ relatives and police detectives (pictured is a sketch of the court).
He answered “guilty” after reading each charge.
Griffith was arrested in August 2022 by the Australian Federal Police and originally charged with more than 1,000 offenses against 91 girls, but hundreds of charges were later dropped.
After the September arraignment, the mother of one of the victims said the evidence against Griffith was overwhelming and she was grateful not to have the added trauma of a trial.
“The idea that he could see the pictures of all these children again (at trial) would be heartbreaking,” she said.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Support Service for Reparation and Sexual Abuse 1800 211 028
Life line 13 11 14
Children’s helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)