'Egregious' childcare worker jailed for filming kids

A childcare worker who captured explicit images of children younger than 10 will remain in prison until at least 2031.

David William James was sentenced at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to 11 charges related to the production and possession of child abuse material.

The 28-year-old committed the crimes against children as young as five years old at six out-of-school centres across Sydney between April 2021 and May 2024.

In a lengthy sentencing, Judge Guy Newton said the offending was disturbing and depraved.

“In each case he was the child’s carer … the offender abused both a position of trust and authority,” he told the court.

“That breach of trust was egregious.”

James wore a green prison-issued fleece as he sat motionless and watched his fate be handed down from a custody cell.

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Newton sentenced him to 12 years in prison, with a non-parole period of seven years.

The sentence was backdated to October 2024 when the former childcare worker was first taken into custody, meaning he could first be eligible for release in October 2031.

James worked casually at nearly 60 childcare centres during the period of offending, prompting police to notify 1500 parents after he was charged.

Aged between 22 and 26 when offending, he worked as a probationary constable until he failed to pass probation, when he shifted to a civilian capacity until May 2023.

NSW Police said it was unaware he was working in childcare simultaneously.

The sickening crimes included filming children - the youngest of whom was only five years old - while they were partially undressed and committing a sex act in their presence.

James took children into prohibited areas of the childcare centres before taking photos and videos of them.

Federal police found the child abuse material on the dark web and traced it back to James in June 2024.

At previous hearings, his victims’ parents revealed the pain of knowing their children had been exposed to the predator.

“I no longer consider any person or place safe, I struggle to reconcile the idea that my children are safe anywhere that they are not with myself or my husband,” a mother told the court in a letter.

“Most nights I wake up and think about what happened … I do not think I will ever be able to escape that guilt.”

Since his arrest, he has been confined to his cell for 23.5 hours a day and has been ostracised after being identified as working for police.

Support is available by calling 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732, National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25).

AAP