A childcare worker facing accusations of abusing minors is set to attend a directions hearing at a county court after pleading not guilty to over 150 charges.
The 27-year-old, identified as Brown, made his formal plea today via videolink from prison during a session in Melbourne Magistrates Court.
The extensive list of charges includes allegations of child abuse, engaging in bestiality, creating child exploitation material, and contaminating food with the intent to incite public fear and distress.
Brown’s defense attorney, Rishi Nathwani KC, informed the court that while his client acknowledges a substantial portion of the alleged offenses, there remains contention regarding which specific charges should move forward.
Nathwani mentioned that discussions with the prosecution have reached an impasse, necessitating intervention from a higher court.
“He will enter ‘not guilty’ pleas, although these are essentially provisional under the current circumstances,” the attorney explained.
When magistrate Donna Bakos asked Brown how he intended to plead to each of the charges, he responded twice, “not guilty, your honour”.
She ordered Brown to face the Victorian County Court for a directions hearing in June.
He was remanded in custody after not making an application for bail.
Brown worked at 23 childcare centres across Melbourne between January 2017 and May 2025, Victoria Police say.
They included Creative Garden centre and Nino Early Learning Adventures, both located in Point Cook in Melbourne’s south-west, and Aussie Kindies Early Learning Centre in Keilor.
Brown first faced court on May 12, 2025, for a filing hearing on more than 70 charges but the case was suppressed until police publicised the allegations on July 1.
Victorian authorities then advised the parents of about 2000 children who crossed paths with Brown to get them tested for infectious diseases.
A further 80 charges were laid in the subsequent months but prosecutors on Thursday withdrew six offences before the case was uplifted to the County Court.
