3 months ago
10
A male day care worker accused of abusing children has been unmasked after the Herald successfully fought a year-long court order which prevented the public from knowing his name and former employment as a police officer.
David James was initially charged with refusing to grant police access to his phone by the Australian Federal Police as part of Operation Arctile in September, but investigators quickly found alleged evidence he had filmed and photographed children in his care.
An alleged daycare paedophile has been unmasked after a court blocked the release of his name for almost a year.
He was arrested a month later when a non-publication order was made over his name to give police time to identify and contact James’ alleged victims.
James is facing 13 offences with nine counts of aggravated use of a child to make child abuse material, one count of using a child to make abuse material, two counts of possessing abuse material and one count of refusing officers access to his phone.
Court documents, seen by the Herald last year, suggest James allegedly filmed “pre-pubescent boys” aged three to six years old.
Most allegations are too graphic to publish but include claims the man filmed young boys as they used the bathroom at the daycare.
He also allegedly pleasured himself in a classroom in front of children.
The AFP allege the man produced child abuse material of 10 victims, aged six and under, during his employment at six OOSH care services.
On Thursday the Herald contested the suppression order, arguing it was time to unmask James as all his alleged victims had been notified.
James’ lawyers protested but prosecutors, and ultimately Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Antrum agreed – lifting the order immediately.
James, aged in his 20s, worked at an Artarmon daycare and casually at afterschool care centres in Sydney’s northern suburbs, including Lane Cove.
The AFP are expected to release further details on Thursday.
James was a failed NSW Police officer who never made it past his probationary period.
He was employed as a probationary constable from December 2021 to September 2022, and after failing to complete his probation, continued in a civilian capacity until his resignation in May 2023.
James was ejected from the NSW Police force after failing to tell them he was working part-time in childcare.
“During his employment, the man failed to seek the required approval to engage in secondary employment, and as such, police were unaware of his concurrent role in the childcare sector,” a NSW Police statement reads.
“We acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations and condemn any behaviour that places our community’s most vulnerable members at risk.”
NSW Police and AFP are working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of James’ alleged victims, the statement reads.
Since October, letters were sent by police to 1200 families and carers who may have come into contact with James. The overwhelming majority were not suspected victims.
“Based on information currently available, investigators believe the alleged behaviour of the man involves a very small number of children, however, the parents and carers of any child who may have had contact with the man has received a letter,” an AFP statement read.
James has been held in prison since his arrest in October and did not appear in court on Thursday.
“(The non-publication order) has done the work it needs to do so is no longer necessary,” Nine’s executive counsel Larina Alick told the court.
James’ lawyers argued James could be at risk while in custody given the nature of his charges, and his name should remain suppressed.
Magistrate Antrum said James’ safety was “a matter for Corrective Services NSW” and noted there were many people on remand for similar alleged offences.
More to come.
If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (and see lifeline.org.au), 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
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