Daily London
A police officer moonlighting as a childcare worker is facing dozens of charges after he was hit with fresh allegations he took explicit photos and videos of children aged under six.
David William James is accused of producing the child abuse material while working at six out-of-school centres in Sydney’s north and the city between April 2021 and May 2024.
The 27-year-old was facing 22 charges related to the production and possession child abuse material and two charges of intentionally sexually touching a child under 10 years old.
But prosecutors laid a further six charges against James today ahead of a foreshadowed plea.
The new charges include three counts of producing child abuse material and three counts of doing a sexual act by filming a child under 16 years old for child abuse material.
James is now facing a total of 31 charges, although court records show 13 of those – including the child sexual touching allegations – are expected to be withdrawn.
The former probationary constable was expected to enter pleas to the charges against him in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court today, but instead the matter was adjourned.
There had been “slight changes” to the facts which James needed to be consulted about before the matter could proceed, the prosecutor disclosed while asking for an adjournment.
Pleas will be entered when the matter returns to court shortly before Christmas, the court was told.
The 27-year-old had been employed as a probationary constable but, after failing to pass his probation, continued in a civilian capacity until his resignation in May 2023.
NSW Police said they were unaware he was working in the childcare sector at the same time.
James came to the attention of Australian Federal Police investigators after they found child abuse material on the dark web, saying they traced it back to him in June 2024.
Around 1200 parents at the six centres where the alleged offences took place were contacted by federal investigators.
But James’ arrest raised more fears among parents after it was revealed he worked casually at nearly 60 centres over several years, including some of Sydney’s most elite schools.
James’ arrest sparked calls for better information-sharing about staff amid a nationwide reckoning in the childcare sector.
NSW Premier Chris Minns flagged tougher working-with-children requirements in August and childcare operators say a national register is a top priority, along with real-time notifications of staff under investigation.
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
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