Ashley Paul Griffith transfer to NSW delayed by magistrate

A Brisbane magistrate has declined to fast-track the legal process to transfer Ashley Paul Griffith, a convicted pedophile, from Queensland to New South Wales to face additional charges.

Griffith, 48, is currently serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to 307 child sexual offences involving 65 victims in Queensland childcare centres. The Queensland Attorney-General sought an immediate hearing to transfer Griffith to New South Wales, where he faces 180 additional child sexual offences allegedly committed against 23 girls in Sydney between 2014 and 2017.

While New South Wales did not oppose the expedited transfer, Griffith’s solicitor resisted the request for an immediate hearing, citing the unavailability of his barrister until October 13. The magistrate has set the hearing for that date rather than moving it forward.