The Australian Police reported on Tuesday that a former caregiver, aged 45, has been accused of 1,623 counts of abuse against 91 preadolescent girls in various cities within the country and abroad, occurring between 2007 and 2022.

The accused has been in custody since August 2022, when he was arrested and charged with offenses related to child exploitation and transporting material depicting child abuse.

Investigations revealed that the man allegedly recorded acts of abuse using phones and cameras while working at nurseries in Brisbane (2007-2013 and 2018-2022), abroad between 2013 and 2014, and at a center in Sydney (2014-2017).

Serious charges and maximum penalties for the accused

Among the charges faced by the accused are 136 counts of rape, carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment; 604 counts of indecent treatment of minors under 16, with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and 613 counts of producing material depicting child exploitation, also with a 20-year penalty.

Additionally, he faces 83 charges related to the possession, control, production, distribution, or acquisition of child abuse material outside of Australia, punishable by 15 years in prison. The New South Wales Police also laid charges for alleged offenses against 23 children, including 68 charges for having sexual intercourse with a child under 10 years old, and 42 charges for aggravated sexual intercourse with a child under 10 years old in authority, both carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.