2-8-2023 (BRISBANE) A former childcare worker from Gold Coast has been charged with an astonishing 1,623 child abuse offences, which include 136 counts of rape and 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10. The alleged abuses took place over a 15-year span and targeted 91 young girls at multiple early learning centres in Brisbane, Sydney, and overseas locations.
The shocking case came to light after authorities stumbled upon disturbing videos on the dark web in 2014. It wasn’t until August 2022 that the 45-year-old suspect was arrested, leading police to discover a hard drive filled with child abuse material at his residence and other locations.
Australian federal police assistant commissioner, Justine Gough, expressed the depth of the distressing nature of the alleged offences, describing them as “unfathomable.”
The incidents are said to have occurred at ten childcare centres in Brisbane between 2007 and 2013, and 2018 and 2022, as well as an overseas location in 2013 and 2014, and one centre in Sydney between 2014 and 2017. While the man worked at other childcare centres, there are no allegations of misconduct at those places.
The AFP has been working diligently to identify the victims and ensure their parents are informed, especially considering some of the victims are now adults. Gough mentioned that they have identified all 87 Australian girls involved in the alleged child abuse material. Additionally, international cooperation is underway to identify four children seen in recordings created overseas.
The investigation faced significant challenges due to the large number of images and videos recorded over 15 years. Nonetheless, law enforcement’s persistence and dedication to stopping further abuse have been commendable.
The accused individual will also face more than 100 charges in New South Wales. Once the Queensland charges are addressed, the authorities in New South Wales plan to seek extradition to hold him accountable for the crimes committed in their jurisdiction.
The case is scheduled for mention in Brisbane magistrates court on 21 August.
