A notorious paedophile and former childcare worker has been charged with more than 200 child abuse offences against 23 children in Sydney’s inner west, following a lengthy investigation by NSW Police and the AFP.
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.
Detectives attached to the NSW Child Abuse Squad, with assistance from the AFP, 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.
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.
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.”
The 48-year-old will remain in custody in NSW until the completion of any criminal trial. Griffith was remanded in custody and will appear before a bail court on Friday.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Anyone affected by sexual, domestic or family violence can also access 24/7, free and confidential trauma-specialist counselling through Full Stop Australia (1800 385 578).
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