In a shocking and deeply distressing case, former childcare worker Ashley Paul Griffith, 46, from the Gold Coast, has confessed to committing 307 sexual offenses against dozens of children under his care between 2007 and 2022. Griffith pleaded guilty to all charges during an arraignment at the Queensland District Court on Monday morning.
The courtroom was packed and tense as each of the 307 charges was read aloud, a process that took over two hours. Many in the audience stood due to a lack of seating, with some onlookers moved to tears during the hearing before Judge Anthony Rafter. Griffith, dressed in a striped polo shirt and jeans, stood calmly throughout, responding “guilty” to each charge read by the judge’s associate, occasionally nodding in acknowledgment.
Griffith was formally convicted of offenses committed at various childcare centers where he worked from January 2007 to August 2022. The charges include 190 counts of unlawful and indecent dealings with a child under 12, 28 counts of rape, 67 counts of making child exploitation material, four counts of producing such material, and one count of distribution. Additionally, he faced charges of possessing child exploitation material from 2005 to 2022 and using a carriage service for its distribution. Thirteen additional charges were dropped at the beginning of Monday’s hearing.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) believes Griffith recorded his offenses using phones and cameras while at work. Sixty victims were named in the court, though their identities remain protected by law. Griffith did not offer any statement when asked by the court, simply mouthing “no” and shaking his head.
Griffith’s criminal activities took place at multiple childcare centers in Brisbane, as well as others in Sydney and Pisa, Italy. He was arrested in October 2022 by officers from the AFP and Queensland Police. According to the AFP, all of Griffith’s victims have been identified, and their families have been informed. However, the AFP noted that Griffith also worked at some childcare centers where no offenses were committed.
A sentencing date for Griffith has not yet been set, but he is scheduled to appear again in court on September 9 for a mention. Due to the large number of victims’ families who may wish to present victim impact statements, Judge Rafter indicated that the sentencing process could take more than two days. Crown prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher requested that a psychiatrist’s report be prepared as part of the pre-sentencing process, while defense barrister Sarah Cartledge noted that efforts had been made to expedite the case.
