Notorious lifetime pedophile Raymond Barry Eades, 69, sentenced for latest charge

Queensland’s Police Commissioner said reports a notorious convicted pedophile had been employed at a southeast community centre would be looked at “very seriously”.

Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said reports convicted pedophile Raymond Barry Eades had been employed at a community centre would be looked at “very seriously”.

The Courier-Mail on Tuesday reported the notorious pedophile, with a seven-page history of offending against children dating back to the 1970s, had fronted a Logan court after failing to notify parole officers that he was volunteering at a community centre where children were present.

The court heard Raymond Barry Eades, 69, had spent most of his adult life in prison.

He was required to report any changes to his circumstances as part of his Children’s Protection Act and a Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offender) supervision order, for the rest of his life.

“These things need to be looked at very seriously and I understand how concerned the community would be about these types of issues,” Police Commissioner Gollschewski said.

Speaking generally, he said: “We’re always concerned about these types of offenders.”

“There is nothing more important to us as an organisation than the safety of children in the state,” he said.

Raymond Barry Eades.

Eades’ history included multiple sexual crimes against children under 14 years of age, committed from 1974 to 2008 in NSW and Queensland.

Eades on Tuesday pleaded guilty to one count of failing to report to his parole office that he had regularly volunteered at ADRA Community Centre at Logan in December, 2023.

A police prosecutor said Eades claimed he reported his change of employment to the officer but could show no proof of that.

“The organisation provides assistance to vulnerable people, including children,” the prosecutor said.

“When questioned by police, he confirmed he had worked there for more than one month and could not offer any explanation as to why he had not notified his reporting office.

“He is a dangerous sex offender. He has a history of failing to report of a like nature.

“He was previously charged with being in the presence of other sex offenders (and) using the internet when he was expressivity told not to do that.’’

She said the maximum penalty for the charge was five years’ jail.

“I submit that there should be time served but I am in the courts hands of what is appropriate... This is a serious circumstance,” she said.

The court heard Eades ticked “not applicable’’ on the ADRA volunteer form when asked if he held a working-with-children permit.

His lawyer from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services Queensland, said there was a “mix up” in communications about his understanding of his reporting requirements.

“He instructs he didn’t have the knowledge that he had to report for working at the volunteer service,” his lawyer said.

“This is the first offence in relation to this particular legislation.

“In the letter from the centre manager there is no outline of any type of inappropriate behaviour (from Eades),” he said.

The lawyer said Eades was battling a significant cancer diagnosis.

“He has a carcinoma and has lost 6kg. Your honour has (sentencing) options available.’’

Magistrate Mark Whitbread said Eades’ criminal history was appalling.

“There are lifelong problems you’ve had when dealing with children. This has gone on for decades,” Mr Whitbread said.

“You knew you had to report your employment (at a location) that’s full of very vulnerable people, including children.

“It is a clear that a period of imprisonment should be imposed in the interest of public safety regarding your background and everything else we have mentioned.’’

Eades was sentenced to serve six months’ jail, wholly suspended for 12 months.

A conviction was recorded.

Eades appeared hunched over, breathless and frail during his court apeparance.

But he left the courthouse without hunching and raced down stairs to his car.