Andrew Donald Steele pleads guilty to child abuse charges, mother of his victims arrested on sexual slavery allegations

A Yankalilla man’s guilty pleas to child abuse offending have triggered an international investigation into sex slavery – and resulted in a mother’s arrest.

Andrew Donald Steele has pleaded guilty to sending thousands of dollars overseas for children to be abused while he watched online. Picture: Facebook

A Filipino woman has been arrested on allegations she sold her daughters into sexual slavery and allowed them to be abused by a Yankalilla man in exchange for $50,000 over six years.

The Advertiser can reveal the case against Andrew Donald Steele – who, on Wednesday, pleaded guilty to seven charges – has triggered a widespread international investigation.

That inquiry, which has already seen Steele’s two victims rescued from an alleged brothel, is now targeting those who provided him access to abuse them online and in person.

The first person to be arrested is the girls’ mother – who cannot be identified, in order to safeguard their privacy – with further arrests expected.

Steele was arrested at Yankallia by the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team. Picture: AFP

Steele, 65, of Yankalilla, was arrested by SA’s elite Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team in May 2023 after illegal material was allegedly found on his phone at Adelaide Airport.

Prosecutors had alleged he paid overseas pedophiles almost $50,000 over six years to abuse the girls both in person and while he watched online from his home.

One victim, they alleged, was abused on his behalf 300 times in 24 days.

Earlier this month, Steele’s counsel told the court a plea bargain had been brokered in which he would confess to seven charges, while a further nine would be dropped.

Two young girls were rescued from alleged sexual slavery in the Philippines following JACET’s investigation into Steele. Picture: SA Police

On Wednesday, Steele pleaded guilty to one count of persistently sexually abusing a child outside Australia.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual activities with a child outside Australia, and to using a carriage service to disseminate child exploitation material.

Steele further pleaded guilty to one count each of possessing and distributing child exploitation material, and one count of accessing that material online.

Magistrate Brian Nitschke remanded Steele in custody to face the District Court in May, when a date for sentencing submissions will be set.