Teacher aide Boden Ashworth pleads guilty to taking indecent photos of students

A disturbed former educator has said he has no sexual interest in children after he was caught taking indecent photos of school students using the bathroom.

Boden Reece Ashworth faced Maroochydore District Court on Monday where he was jailed.

A former teacher aide has denied having a sexual interest in children despite being found with covert images of young school students using the bathroom.

Maroochydore District Court heard how Boden Reece Ashworth, 27, used his position at schools and an after school care to take images and a video of at least four schoolchildren’s genitalia on dates between 2017 and 2022.

Crown prosecutor Michael Gawrych said Ashworth’s disturbing offending came to light when Task Force Argos detectives found him trying to upload an indecent video of a child to a Google Drive.

Police raided his home in late 2022 and scoured through his phone where they found several pictures of private parts from six young children on a secure photo vault app.

The court heard some identifying features were linked to four specific children while others could not be identified, however it was clear they were under 12-years-old.

Ashworth pleaded guilty to seven charges. Picture: Patrick Woods

Some other victims came forward to police at a later stage.

Ashworth spent one day in the Maroochydore watch-house after his arrest before he was granted bail.

Mr Gawrych said the images involved the young children being photographed in a state of undress while using the toilet, and done overtly and covertly.

The prosecutor said it was an “egregious” breach of trust where the children’s privacy was “exploited and violated”.

He also challenged a psychologist’s report where Ashworth denied having a sexual interest in children, and said there was no other explanation offered by the disgraced teacher aide.

Mr Gawrych said it showed a lack of insight and remorse, and said no good character should be taken into account as the 27-year-old used it to commit the heinous crimes.

Boden Reece Ashworth outside court. Picture: Patrick Woods

Defence barrister Mark Dixon said there was no suggestion of physical contact with children, and explained how the 27-year-old’s actions cost him his planned career in education.

Mr Dixon said the Beerwah man came from a prejudicial upbringing and lost his dad, which led to him taking an active role in taking care of his siblings and grandmother.

The defence barrister said Ashworth was ashamed and struggled to understand why he engaged in his behaviour, but had “many redeeming features” beyond the conduct.

Judge Ian Dearden said Ashworth’s offending had an “awful and ghastly” affect not only on the children but their parents, as expressed in victim impact statements.

The District Court Judge said it was repeated behaviour which required a “deliberate decision” to pursue the children in the way he did. He labelled it appalling and despicable.

Ashworth pleaded guilty to six counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12 by taking photographs and one of possessing child exploitation material.

He was jailed for two and a half years, to be suspended after he served six months’ jail. He was also placed on a three year probation order.