Childcare paedophile Ashley Paul Griffith loses appeal to reduce non-parole period

A former south-east Queensland childcare worker who sexually abused dozens of children at centres for almost two decades has failed to have his sentence reduced.

Ashley Paul Griffith is currently serving life in jail, after admitting to committing hundreds of offences against 69 young girls.

His offending took place at early learning centres where he was employed across Brisbane and Italy between 2003 and 2022.

At his 2024 sentence, a supreme court judge ordered that he must serve 27 years in custody before being eligible for parole, which is almost double the statutory minimum period in Queensland.

Last month Griffith's lawyers appealed the non-parole period, arguing it was manifestly excessive.

It was submitted this did not reflect his co-operation with the investigation and the court, and was not consistent with other sentences when having regard to similar cases.

On Friday, the Court of Appeal dismissed the application.

With time already served, Griffith can apply for release in 2049.

In a published judgment, COA judge Justice John Bond said there was "no assistance to be gleaned from comparative cases" referenced during the appeal.

Justice Bond also said the appeal arguments "tended to understate" the harm caused by Griffiths' "disgraceful" offending and overstated his mitigation value.

"The applicant has created a widening gyre of grave hurt and trauma," he said in his written reasons.

Justice Bond said Griffith's offending was likely to cause serious ongoing emotional and psychological damage to his victims and their families, and had "corroded trust" in the childcare sector.

He said for this, condign punishment was deserved and the offending called for a sentence "with a very significant deterrent effect".

"It must be denounced in the strongest terms."

It was accepted Griffith cooperated with authorities and the court, but Justice Bond said this was "in the face of overwhelming and irrefutable evidence" of his wrongdoing.

"It is possible, though by no means certain, that some judges may have given the applicant a little more benefit than did this sentencing judge," he said.

"But there is no single correct sentence."

"In my view the exercise of the sentencing discretion to require the applicant to serve a minimum period of 27 years' imprisonment was within the bounds of a proper exercise of the sentencing."

Parents relieved by ruling

Several parents of victims were in court for the appeal hearing and the decision.

Some hugged when they learned the original punishment had been upheld.

Outside court one mother said she was happy the "right decision" was made and it was a "big relief".

"We don't think he deserved any reduction in sentence after everything he's done," she said.

Griffith is accused of similar alleged offending against children in New South Wales.

The woman said their "hearts go out" to those alleged victims and their families.

"We hope he is moved to New South Wales as soon as possible so he can face them," she said.