3 months ago
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A Sydney child care worker allegedly abused 10 children at six centres across the city’s north and CBD, with his name and the location of his alleged offending only now able to be revealed after a year of court-ordered silence.
Former police officer David 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.
Lane Cove West public school, one of six OOSCH centres where David James allagedly abused children.Credit: Sam Mooy
The 26-year-old’s name had been suppressed, along with any centres where he had worked, for almost a year to enable police time to alert the families of alleged victims.
The Herald challenged the suppression order on Thursday, saying it had completed its function and it was now time to inform the public of the allegations against James.
This masthead can reveal the six centres involved are: Pyrmont OSHC – City of Sydney; OSHClub – Barker College; Willoughby Kids House; Helping Hands – St Ives Park Public School; and St Ives OSHC Centre – Kidzone.
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All the families of James’ alleged victims were contacted by investigators in June.
“The letter provided instructions on how parents or carers could connect with the local contact point if they had concerns about their child and seek advice on what support was available,” the AFP said in a statement on Thursday.
The Australian Federal Police last September investigated dark web child abuse material and allegedly linked it to James. Files obtained from his phone allegedly showed him photographing 10 children in the toilets of six centres in Sydney.
Junior Adventures Group (JAG) runs three of the centres where James’ alleged abuse took place – Helping Hands, OSHClub and Kidzone.
“We fully understand how distressing this matter is, and we share the immense upset and concern surrounding it,” a spokeswoman told the Herald in a statement on Thursday.
“We have been co-operating with police and doing all that we can to assist them in their investigation.”
JAG is now contacting all parents listed by the AFP and say they have just been informed of many details since the court non-publication order lifted.
“Protecting children in our care is of paramount importance to us. This is our top priority every day,” the statement reads.
JAG said it has banned mobile phones onsite since 2024, has child safety focused recruitment, children’s checks and a “hear something, say something culture”.
During his employment with police, both as an officer and in a civilian capacity, James was secretly working part-time at almost 60 centres across Sydney.
James failed to make it past his probationary constable period in May 2023.
The AFP on Thursday identified a further 52 centres where James had worked on a public website set up for parents.
“The AFP holds no evidence to suggest any alleged offending took place at these facilities,” the AFP said in a statement on Thursday.
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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