Sydney childcare worker faces 202 new charges
Prosecutors allege Ashley Paul Griffith abused 23 children, some as young as one, during his employment in Sydney's inner west.
By Gabriela Flores ·
Ashley Paul Griffith, a former childcare worker in Sydney, now faces 202 additional charges. The allegations cover incidents from 2014 to 2017.
New South Wales police filed the charges while Griffith was held at Silverwater Correctional Complex. The 48-year-old was extradited from Queensland to New South Wales just days before the new filings. He arrived in the state on Wednesday.
The indictment includes 68 counts of raping a child under 10. It also lists 42 counts of aggravated rape of a child under 10 who was under Griffith's authority. Prosecutors charged him with 69 counts of aggravated indecent assault. He also faces 23 charges for producing child abuse material.
Police stated the charges relate to 23 alleged victims. Their ages ranged from one to five years old. Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree described the allegations as deeply disturbing. He noted that the victims are among the most vulnerable members of the community.
Greentree said the investigation required collaboration with police across Australia. He affirmed that the force aims to identify and prosecute those who exploit positions of trust. The lengthy probe led to the current court filings.
Griffith is already serving a life sentence in Queensland. He pleaded guilty in November 2024 to more than 300 sexual offences against nearly 70 victims. A Brisbane magistrate approved his transfer earlier this month. Supporters of the alleged victims yelled insults at him during the hearing.
In Queensland, Griffith admitted to assaulting and filming young girls over several years. He worked at childcare centers during that period. The new Sydney charges add to the total number of counts he faces.
Source: The Guardian
