Childcare rapist faces sentence for 300 sex offences

One of Australia's worst pedophiles is due to begin two days of sentencing for more than 300 sexual offences committed while he was employed at childcare centres. Ashley Paul Griffith, 46, in September pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court to 28 counts of rape against young girls as well as ongoing sexual abuse and making child exploitation material. Griffith is due to return to court on Thursday following an adjournment to obtain pre-sentence and psychiatric reports. He has also pleaded guilty to 190 counts of indecent treatment of children aged under 12 while a carer, 67 counts of taking indecent photos and videos of children, and 15 counts of repeated sexual abuse of a child. Crown prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher had requested a two-day sentencing to conclude on Friday. "There is a large number of victims in this case and family members who I suspect will be interested in providing impact statements," Ms Gallagher previously told Judge Anthony Rafter. Griffith committed the crimes at childcare centres in multiple Brisbane suburbs over a span of almost 20 years. The Gold Coast resident stood in the dock during his previous arraignment for two hours while hundreds of charges were read to Judge Rafter in a courtroom overflowing with victims' families and police detectives. He replied "guilty" after each charge was read out. Griffith was arrested in August 2022 by Australian Federal Police and originally charged with more than 1000 offences against 91 young girls, but hundreds of charges were later dropped. After the September arraignment, a mother of one of the victims said the evidence against Griffith was overwhelming and she was thankful not to have the added trauma of a trial. "The idea of him being able to see the pictures of all these children again (at trial) would be heartbreaking," she said. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)