The parents of toddlers and young girls sexually assaulted by one of Australia's worst pedophiles have confronted the ex-childcare worker, detailing how their families’ lives were forever changed.
Ashley Paul Griffith, 46, faced Brisbane District Court on Thursday for sentencing after pleading guilty to 28 counts of rape against girls primarily aged three to five at childcare centres between 2007 and 2022.
Judge Paul Smith heard victim impact statements for 20 parents of nearly 70 victims who were abused or sexually assaulted by Griffiths, often while being filmed by him.
The parents told of how they had struggled to cope after Queensland and Australian Federal Police began contacting them following Griffith’s arrest in August 2022.
Multiple mothers and fathers spoke of their rage towards Griffiths as well as their feelings of immense guilt for placing their children in his care.
Some had contemplated taking their own life or had become dependent on alcohol or medication after being asked to identify their little girls in the pictures and videos Griffiths had made.
“He caused unimaginable pain and scars that will never heal. This man stole their childhood from them, their innocence, trust and ability to feel safe,” one mother said.
One father said he feared how his daughter might react as she grew older to any memories of abuse she might have.
“We have many sleepless nights. Nightmares now carry the irrevocable pain and guilt of knowing we unintentionally took our child to be sexually assaulted and filmed,” he said.
Griffith pleaded guilty to 307 offences including ongoing sexual abuse and making child exploitation material against nearly 70 victims beginning in 2003.
Director of Public Prosecutions Todd Fuller said Griffith should face a life sentence with 30 years non-parole for his "abhorrent" crimes.
"The true horror of the offending is hard to describe in words," Mr Fuller said.
Defence barrister Sarah Cartledge called for Griffith to be sentenced to 25 to 30 years with 15 years non-parole.
“Offences against children are abhorrent.The impact on victims and families has been severe. I am not taking away from that,” she said.
Ms Cartledge said emotion should be removed from the process and Griffith warranted a reduced sentence for his co-operation with police and guilty plea.
Three of the victims, who are now young adults, also read from their victim impact statements.
One woman said Griffith had been her favourite caretaker at kindergarten and had unlimited trust in him until she found out how he abused her.
"I'm not sure it is something I can ever come to terms with ... people say at least you don’t remember it, as if it makes it better," she said.
Another woman said she had suffered severe mental health issues associated with trauma growing up but had never known why until Griffith was arrested.
"I can never get my childhood back and grow up unafraid of people," she said.
Mr Fuller said Griffith has no prior criminal record and had held clearances to work with children.
Griffith was identified through an "extensive and painstaking investigation" of objects in the background of child sexual abuse videos he uploaded in 2014 to a website run by notorious South Australian child rapist Shannon McCoole.
Mr Fuller said Griffith uploaded videos of abuse he committed to gain access to child sexual abuse material from other members of McCoole's website.
Griffith was twice investigated in the years before he was arrested over claims he acted inappropriately with children or touched them.
Both times the complaints were not substantiated after denials from Griffith to centre management and police.
Judge Smith is due to hand down Griffith's sentence on Friday.
Griffith is also subject to an arrest warrant in NSW for child sex offences he allegedly committed in that state.
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)
