Names of centres where alleged paedophile worked revealed

A male childcare worker accused of abusing 10 children has been unmasked after the Herald successfully fought a year-long court order that prevented the public from knowing his name and former employment as a police officer.

The names of all the centres where alleged paedophile David James worked, almost 60 in total, can now be revealed.

James was initially charged with refusing to grant police access to his phone by the Australian Federal Police as part of a dark web investigation known as Operation Arctile in September last year. Investigators quickly found alleged evidence that he had filmed and photographed children in his care.

Police pored through 142,000 files and allegedly concluded some were child abuse material, Acting Commissioner Brett James said on Thursday.

David James was arrested a month later, and a non-publication order was made over his name to give police time to identify and contact his alleged victims.

He is facing 13 offences with nine counts of aggravated use of a child to make child abuse material, one count of using a child to make abuse material, two counts of possessing abuse material and one count of refusing officers access to his phone.

Court documents, seen by the Herald last year, suggest James allegedly filmed “pre-pubescent boys”.

Police allege James recorded explicit photos of 10 children aged five to six at six centres “through his employment at out-of-school hours care (OSHC) facilities in the northern suburbs of Sydney between April 2021 and May 2024”.

The AFP on Thursday published a list of 58 centres where James worked. (The full list is at the bottom of the story.)

“The AFP holds no evidence to suggest any alleged offending took place at these facilities,” an AFP statement reads.

Most allegations are too graphic to publish, but include claims the man filmed young boys as they used the bathroom at the daycare.

He also allegedly pleasured himself in a classroom in front of children.

On Thursday, the Herald contested the suppression order, arguing it was time to unmask James as the families of all his alleged victims had been notified.

James’ lawyers protested, but prosecutors and ultimately Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Antrum agreed, lifting the order immediately.

James, aged in his 20s, worked at an Artarmon daycare and casually at after-school care centres in Sydney’s northern suburbs, including Lane Cove.

James was a failed NSW Police officer who never made it past his probationary period.

‘These are deeply concerning allegations that no parent ever wants to hear about and my heart goes out to all affected families.’

Acting NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos

Speaking generally, Acting Commissioner Brett James said law enforcement were focused on bringing “paedophiles to justice”.

“What we find is people make, find, they share this type of material for their own personal gain but what they’re doing is preying on young, vulnerable people in our community,” he said.

“These individuals cross all industries, all parts of the communities.”

James was employed as a probationary constable from December 2021 to September 2022 and, after failing to complete his probation, continued in a civilian capacity until his resignation in May 2023.

He was ejected from the NSW Police Force because he was unable to perform to their standards. Police were never aware he was also working part-time in childcare at the time.

“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 reads.

“We acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations and condemn any behaviour that places our community’s most vulnerable members at risk.”

NSW Police and the AFP are working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of James’ alleged victims, the statement reads.

Since October, letters were sent by police to 1200 families and carers who may have come into contact with James. The overwhelming majority were not suspected victims.

“Based on information currently available, investigators believe the alleged behaviour of the man involves a very small number of children, however, the parents and carers of any child who may have had contact with the man has received a letter,” an AFP statement read.

James has been held in prison since his arrest in October and did not appear in court on Thursday.

“[The non-publication order] has done the work it needs to do, so it is no longer necessary,” Nine’s executive counsel Larina Alick told the court.

James’ lawyers argued James could be at risk while in custody, given the nature of his charges, and his name should remain suppressed.

The magistrate said James’ safety was “a matter for Corrective Services NSW” and noted there were many people on remand for similar alleged offences.

The nation’s childcare industry has been in crisis since the arrest of Melbourne carer Joshua Dale Brown on allegations he abused eight children. The case is unrelated to James’ alleged offending in Sydney.

Brown is facing 73 charges, including child rape, after the alleged discovery of a cache of child abuse material in May.

The Age, sister masthead to the Herald, has reported claims Brown’s employers oversaw a “culture of cover-ups” as questions mount over the industry’s crisis management focus, poor safety record and numerous abuse scandals.

Another Sydney daycare worker was charged this month with seven counts of using a child to make abusive material – three counts were aggravated.

The case is unrelated to James’, but similarly covered by a non-publication order to prevent “psychological harm” to his alleged victims – including those yet to be identified by detectives.

“These are deeply concerning allegations that no parent ever wants to hear about and my heart goes out to all affected families,” Acting NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos told the Herald on Thursday.

“The regulator has been working with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to assist in their investigation and will continue to do so.”

The Minns Labor government announced tougher childcare regulations in June including CCTV trials, a new regulator and higher fines for service breaches.

Houssos said the government would have more to say “in the coming weeks” about childcare.

If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (and see lifeline.org.au), 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

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