Alleged Sydney childcare paedophile identified
Police on Thursday revealed David William James had been charged with a raft of child abuse offences allegedly committed across six out-of-school hours (OOSH) care centres between 2021 and 2024.
Artarmon man Mr James allegedly used 10 children aged five and six to produce child abuse material while under his care.
The 26-year-old was a former trainee NSW Police officer and was in the 2017 class at Knox Grammar School on Sydney's upper north shore.
Do you know more? Email: heath.parkes-hupton@news.com.au
Records show Mr James was on the High School Certificate honour roll in 2017 for achievement in music.
He also worked at Knox's high school, preparatory school between 2018 and 2020 and OOSH club in 2024. None of the offences he has been charged with relate to Knox.
The school said in a brief statement: 'The AFP has assured us that we are not being investigated as part of the David James matter'.
Mr James faces 13 charges in total, including 10 counts of using a child under 14 to make child abuse material and two counts of possessing child abuse material.
News.com.au understands some of the alleged videos were recorded in bathroom settings, and Mr James allegedly touched himself in front of children.
It is also understood complaints had allegedly been raised about Mr James in the years before his arrest.
It was revealed in June that 1200 letters had been sent to parents and carers who may have come into contact with Mr James.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has now released a list of 58 childcare centres where he worked between 2018 and 2024, 44 of which were located on the city's north shore.
Police allege he committed offences at the following six centres: Pyrmont OSHC – City of Sydney; OSHClub – Barker College; Willoughby Kids House; Helping Hands – St Ives Park Public School; St Ives OSHC Centre – Kidzone; and Helping Hands – Lane Cove West.
City of Sydney councillor Jess Miller took to social media on Thursday to share her horror at learning the alleged pedophile worked at centres where her child had attended.
'Like many parents, it was with a lump in my throat I just read through the list of childcare centres, OSCH, and Camp Australia centres where alleged pedophile David James worked between 2018 -2024,' she wrote.
'There was one that matched-up to where my child attended school holiday care. So I can absolutely understand the outrage, grief, disgust and anger felt by so many families making similar discoveries today, and who have been living with the spectre for months – sincerely, my heart goes out to you.
'Advice from City of Sydney staff is the police say there is no evidence or information that offending has taken place three of the listed City of Sydney services at Ultimo, Pyrmont and KGV OSHC.
'While this is a small mercy, I am very aware that it offers little comfort to victims and their families.'
Mr James' identity had been suppressed under a court order since his arrest in October until it was lifted after a challenge by media organisations on Thursday.
He was employed by NSW Police as a probationary constable during the same period he was allgedly offending from December 2021 to September 2022.
After failing to complete his probation, he continued in a civilian capacity until his resignation in May 2023.
'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 said.
AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett James said at a press conference this week the families of children whose 'innocence was allegedly violated' would be supported.
'Any form of child sexual abuse is confronting,' he told reporters.
'Even more so when the alleged perpetrator is a person entrusted with the care of our children.'
Acting Commissioner James said there had been a 'painstaking' process of victim identification since officers became aware of the alleged material.
'There is no evidence to suggest the man's alleged offending took place in out-of-school-hours facilities or other care providers which have not yet been contacted by law enforcement,' he said.
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