A former childcare worker from Sydney and a private school graduate who is accused of indecently filming young boys has sought a plea deal while imprisoned.

David William James, 26, was not present at the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday when his case was mentioned for addressing a preliminary issue.

The prosecution’s lawyer requested a delay until September 18 to continue discussions on the plea proposal presented by James’ lawyer on Wednesday.

The application for adjournment was not opposed by James’ lawyer. 

James, who is currently in custody, has not yet applied for bail, the court heard. 

Magistrate Tsavdaridis ordered James to appear via audiovisual link when the case returns to court next month following negotiations. 

Authorities allege that James created child abuse material involving ten children, with the oldest being six years old, during his tenure at six out-of-school-hours (OOSH) care programs located in Sydney’s north and CBD from April 2021 to May 2024.

The accusations have caused significant distress as numerous families were notified through letters that James had been employed at their children’s schools.

The 26-year-old, hired by recruitment agency Randstad, worked at nearly 60 different OOSH centres and allegedly abused children at six of them.

He was charged with more than a dozen offences including nine counts of aggravated use of a child under 14 to make child abuse material, using a child under 14 to make child abuse material, and two counts of possessing child abuse material. 

Daily Mail understands that police will allege James filmed boys using the toilet and exposed himself in front of children. 

James was remanded in custody in October 2024; however, his identity was only made public last month after a court-ordered non-publication order was lifted. 

His lawyer attempted to keep James’ identity suppressed but was unsuccessful. 

James himself is a former private schoolboy, who was a student at elite Knox Grammar on Sydney’s leafy north shore until 2017. 

He later worked at the school from March 2018 to July 2020 but the AFP has reportedly told the school it was not part of the investigation. 

James was first arrested and charged after he refused to provide police access to his mobile phone. 

Once officers gained access, they allegedly located child abuse material, and he was again arrested and charged.

AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett James said the investigation began in June 2024 after child abuse material was allegedly found on the dark web.

‘A man was identified as being allegedly responsible for this material and a search warrant at his home was executed at his Artarmon home in September 2024,’ he said.

Acting Assistant Commissioner James said police had examined 142,000 files on the alleged paedophile’s devices which amounted to 18.9GB of material. 

James was formerly employed as a probationary constable of the NSW Police Force from December 2021 to September 2022 but failed to complete his probation. 

He remained in a civilian capacity with the force until he resigned in May 2023.

Police said they were unaware he was concurrently employed in childcare as he failed to seek the required approval.

The six childcare centres where the alleged offending took place include Willoughby Kids House, where he worked for a single day, Pyrmont OSHC – City of Sydney, OSHClub – Barket College, St Ives OSHC Centre – KIDZONE, Helping Hands – St Ives Public school and Helping Hands – Lane Cove West.

Australian Federal Police have assured the parents they do not allege any offending took place at the 52 other schools where he worked.

In June, a hotline was established for parents with children at the six childcare centres identified as having been in contact with James.

The matter will return to court next month.