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Sexual Abuse of 91 Children: Former Australian childcare worker charged with 1,600 offences

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 1 August 2023, 10:50 IST
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The accused, a 45-year-old man, is alleged to have preyed on young girls for 15 years at multiple childcare centres in Australia and abroad.

The former Australian childcare worker is facing an appalling list of charges, including over 1,600 offences of sexual abuse against 91 children.


The investigation, which began with his arrest in August 2022 took a year to identify the victims and gather evidence for the case.

The Horrific Allegations
The accused has been charged with 246 counts of rape and 673 counts of indecent assault. He faces hundreds of charges for filming and distributing child abuse material. Authorities have found 4,000 images and videos of the abuse on his electronic devices.

Scope of the Offending
The alleged abuse occurred at ten childcare centres in Queensland, one in New South Wales, and another in an undisclosed overseas country.

Identification of Victims
Out of the 91 children allegedly abused, 87 are Australian, and some are now adults. Their families have been contacted and provided support.

Investigation and Arrest
Investigators identified the background in the child abuse material, leading them to one of the childcare centres where the accused worked. The AFP executed a search warrant at a Brisbane centre in August 2022 and later searched the accused's residence on the Gold Coast, where they found evidence of his alleged crimes.

Previous Incidents
The accused had been reported to the police in Queensland twice before, in 2021 and 2022, but insufficient evidence hindered further action.

 

First published: 1 August 2023, 10:50 IST