Arabic version: حكم على عامل رعاية الأطفال في سيدني بالسجن 12 عامًا بسبب إساءة معاملة الأطفال

David William James, a former childcare worker and failed police officer in Sydney, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for creating and possessing child abuse material. The 27-year-old pleaded guilty to 11 charges related to his offenses, which occurred at out-of-school hours care centers in Sydney as far back as 2018. According to ABC News, James’s arrest in 2024 prompted a lengthy investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), which identified multiple victims across six locations over a three-year period.

The court heard that James took images and videos of nine young boys, aged between five and nine, in various states of undress. Some of the material included sexual acts, which Judge Guy Newton described as “disturbing and depraved.” In handing down the sentence, Judge Newton emphasized the breach of trust involved, noting that James abused his position of trust and authority as a childcare worker.

James pleaded guilty to the charges last year and will be eligible for parole in October 2031 after accounting for time already served. His claims to a psychologist that his actions were merely a “mental exercise” were rejected by the judge, who found that James attempted to minimize his crimes.

Following the sentencing, AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham stated that the case underscores the commitment of authorities to pursue individuals who harm children. Outside the courtroom, parents of the victims expressed their ongoing pain and fear from the impact of James’s actions, highlighting the lasting trauma experienced by their families.