Breaking: Paedophile Ashley Paul Griffith loses appeal to reduce sentence

Childcare paedophile Ashley Paul Griffith loses appeal to reduce sentence Fri 12 Jun 2026 at 9:47am 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. Loading