A former police officer working in after-school care has admitted to producing child abuse material involving children as young as four. David William James, 27, pleaded guilty to 11 charges in Sydney's Downing Centre local court on Friday, including production and possession of child abuse material and performing sexual acts with children to produce such material.
James committed the offences while employed at six out-of-school hours (OOSH) care services in Sydney's north and city centres between April 2021 and May 2024. He had worked with children since 2018 across 58 different after-school and vacation care services across Sydney, according to police. The allegations include filming children while partially undressed and masturbating in their presence.
James, a former probationary constable who resigned in May 2023, was traced by Australian federal police after they discovered the material on the dark web in June 2024. He faced 31 charges initially, but prosecutors withdrew 20 after his guilty plea. He will return to the New South Wales district court on 30 January for sentencing.
The case has prompted calls for better information-sharing about childcare staff, with NSW Premier Chris Minns flagging tougher working-with-children requirements. Childcare operators are advocating for a national register and real-time notifications of staff under investigation. About 1,200 parents at the six centres were contacted by investigators.
