This article discusses Child abuse material. Support information is included at the end.
Artarmon man David James, 27, has been jailed for 12 years after committing child sex offences at six Sydney out-of-school-hours (OOSH) care centres, including Helping Hands Lane Cove West.
James was sentenced in the Downing Centre District Court on 2 July 2026, with a non-parole period of seven years.
The sentencing brings to a close the Australian Federal Police investigation known as Operation Arctile. James had been in custody since October 2024 on an initial charge of refusing police access to his phone. Once digital forensic investigators gained entry to his devices, he was re-arrested and charged with producing child abuse material, which In the Cove first reported at the time.
At a Glance
- David James, 27, sentenced to 12 years’ jail (seven-year non-parole period) for child sex offences at six Sydney OOSH centres, including Helping Hands Lane Cove West.
- Offending occurred between April 2021 and May 2024 against 10 victims, all aged six and under.
- James pleaded guilty in December 2025 to 12 offences under NSW and Commonwealth law.
- The sentencing concludes AFP Operation Arctile, which began in July 2024.
The Offending
The AFP investigation established that James used his employment at six OOSH centres to commit sexual offences against 10 victims, all aged six and under, between April 2021 and May 2024. The offending included carrying out sexual acts with children and producing child abuse material.
The six centres where offending was identified were:
- Helping Hands, Lane Cove West
- Helping Hands, St Ives Park Public School
- St Ives OSHC Centre, KIDZONE
- Pyrmont OSHC, operated by City of Sydney
- OSH Club at Barker College
- Willoughby Kids House
The Investigation
The investigation began in July 2024, after the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) commenced inquiries into first-generation child abuse material detected on the dark web by the Queensland Police Service.
A search warrant was executed at an Artarmon home in September 2024, where James’s mobile phone and other electronic devices were seized. He was initially charged after refusing to provide police with access to his phones. When digital forensic investigators later gained access to the devices, they located 22 child abuse images, and James was re-arrested and charged with further child sex offences. He had been in custody since October 2024.
Between October 2024 and July 2025, the AFP undertook a comprehensive victim identification process, and all identified impacted families were contacted, with support services offered through NSW Health.
Guilty Plea
In December 2025, James pleaded guilty to 12 offences:
- Four counts of aggravated use of a child under 14 to make child abuse material, contrary to section 91G(3) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)
- Three counts of carrying out a sexual act with a child under 16 filmed for the production of child abuse material, contrary to section 66DF(a) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)
- Three counts of producing child abuse material, contrary to section 91H(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)
- One count of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth)
- One count of contravening the requirements of a section 3LA order relating to a serious offence, contrary to section 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth)
AFP Response
AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham acknowledged the impact of the sentencing on affected families and the wider community, describing the case as a profound abuse of trust by a person in a position of responsibility, and heinous offending which has no place in our community.
Det Supt Needham said the AFP and its state and Commonwealth partners had worked to identify every child victim and ensure each received appropriate care. He warned the sentencing news may be re-traumatising for survivors of sexual abuse and urged anyone affected to seek support or speak with someone they trust.
In 2025, a Local Contact Point process was established in line with the Joint Child Protection Response Program and Royal Commission guidelines, facilitated by the NSW Police Force, NSW Health and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, with support from the AFP, the NSW Early Learning Commission (formerly the NSW Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority) and the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
Parents and carers seeking information or support can visit the ACCCE support page.
If you or anyone you know needs help, or this article raises any issues, you can call:
The National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service: 1800 211 028