Boden Reece Ashworth in District Court for allegedly taking photos of students in bathrooms

Court proceedings surrounding a Sunshine Coast prep teacher aide accused of taking pictures of students using a school bathroom and of a child at a kids club have been delayed. Here’s why.

Boden Reece Ashworth

Court proceedings surrounding a Sunshine Coast prep teacher aide accused of taking pictures of students using a school bathroom and of a child at a kids club have been delayed to await an additional report.

Boden Reece Ashworth has been hit with eight charges including six counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12 by taking photographs and one of possessing child exploitation material.

He is yet to enter pleas for any of the charges.

Court documents alleged police searched his home after they were notified by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and seized his devices on October 25, 2022.

The search of his phone allegedly uncovered an app which was passcode protected and allegedly contained child exploitation material showing several children in school uniform using the toilet.

Documents stated that police allege some images were taken under a desk and images of children sitting down with a view up their school shorts and others showed young children in swimwear and casual clothing centred around their bottom and groin area.

Court documents stated Mr Ashworth had allegedly “crafted a profession that gave him unfettered access to children without parental oversight”.

Mr Ashworth has since been stood down in his role as a teacher in the three schools where he had been employed.

Whilst police were investigating of the matter, he was further charged for an alleged offence which occurred when he was previously employed at the Caloundra RSL working at the Kids Club.

Police previously alleged he had taken inappropriate photos of a child at the club.

The matters were put together to be heard in District Court.

Defence barrister Mark Dixon said during the mention on Monday they were awaiting an report.

He asked for the matter to be adjourned for a special witness callover.

Judge Nicholas Andreatidis adjourned the matter to February 21 for mention and Mr Ashworth’s bail was enlarged.