Andrew Donald Steele set to plead guilty to abusing children in Philippines after surgery, lawyer tells court

The man’s lawyer told a court he would plead guilty to charges relating to online and real life abuse in Australia and abroad – but couldn’t yet due to a schedule clash.

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

A Yankalilla man will plead guilty to abusing female child sex slaves in the Philippines – both in person and by paying to watch other pedophiles over the internet – as soon as he recovers from surgery, a court has heard.

Andrew Donald Steele was due to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday and enter his pleas to allegations of sex offending both within Australia and overseas.

However his lawyer, James Caldicott, explained his client – who is in custody – could not face court by video link for an unusual reason.

Mr Steele was arrested by Australian Federal Police. Picture: AFP

“He’s currently undergoing surgery and is therefore not present,” he said.

“Should that all go to plan – and I will know that by tomorrow – we will be in a position to answer the charges by entering guilty pleas next time.”

Mr 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 have further alleged he paid overseas pedophiles almost $50,000 over six years to abuse girls while he watched online and in person.

One victim, they alleged, was abused on his behalf 300 times in 24 days – the girls have since been rescued from alleged sexual slavery in the Philippines.

Two girls were rescued from alleged sexual slavery in the Philippines following Mr Steele’s arrest. Picture: SA Police

On Tuesday, prosecutors told the court they had filed a total of 16 charges against Mr Steele, but would drop nine counts upon him pleading guilty to the remainder.

Those remaining counts, the court heard, will include both in-person and online abuse of the alleged victims, as well as the importation of child exploitation material into Australia.

Magistrate John Wells adjourned the hearing until later this month.