Ex-childcare worker pleads guilty to abusing dozens of girls in Australia, Italy

By Efe Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - A former childcare worker Monday pleaded guilty to raping, sexually abusing, and exploiting dozens of girls in Australia and Italy.

Ashley Paul Griffith was summoned to the District Court in Brisbane, Australia for over 300 charges of rape, sexual abuse and exploitation of minors, according to ABC News.

The offenses, involving around 60 children, took place between 2003 and 2022 at early learning centers in Brisbane and Italy.

The parents of one young victim described the "horrific" moment they learned their daughter had been sexually abused. Although they decided to inform their daughter about what happened, she is still very young and does not fully comprehend the situation.

"As she grows up, we will deal with that as it comes, but it is going to be something we will deal with through our lives now,” her father said.

"It was a relief that (he pleaded guilty), and we can move on to the next step now," he added.

Griffith, 46, worked at a range of childcare centers in Brisbane, and others in Sydney and Pisa, Italy.

He was arrested in October 2022 by officers of the Australian Federal Police and Queensland police.