Childcare rapist appeals life imprisonment sentence

One of Australia’s worst paedophiles who was sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually abusing dozens of children in childcare centres is appealing his sentence on the grounds it was manifestly excessive.

Ashley Paul Griffith, 46, was sentenced in November for hundreds of charges of abuse against children dating back to 2003, with the youngest victim a one-year-old. He pleaded guilty to 307 charges, including 28 counts of rape.

The former childcare worker was described as “depraved” by his sentencing judge, and determined to have a high risk of reoffending. He was given a non-parole period of 27 years.

Ashley Paul Griffith was sentenced to life in prison in November. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

On Wednesday, it was confirmed Griffith’s legal team, Gnech and Associates, had filed an appeal on the grounds the sentence was manifestly excessive.

The appeal was filed before Christmas, but has yet to go before the court.

When asked about the case on Thursday morning, Premier David Crisafulli said the crimes were horrendous.

“When parents send their kids off, they want them to be safe. That was an abhorrent breach of trust and we will be defending our position forcefully,” he said.

Dozens of parents and victims themselves were present in court when Griffith was sentenced, with the case shocking Queenslanders and sparking questions over the safety of children in the childcare industry.

During sentencing, Judge Paul Smith said Griffith had filmed all but one of his 65 victims as he sexually assaulted them.

He said the children were awake or asleep, and frequently gave them an iPad to distract them.

Smith said Griffith made admissions to police about the abuse during 13 police interviews, but initially denied committing any offence. The court heard he downplayed the number of victims and seriousness of the assaults.

Griffith, who is also subject to an arrest warrant for alleged child abuse offences committed while working in New South Wales, is eligible for parole in 2049.