This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/dec/20/yolanda-borucki-ashley-griffith-computer-hacking-charge-not-guilty-ntwnfb

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Queensland childcare manager who sounded alarm over paedophile Ashley Griffith found not guilty of computer hacking Queensland childcare manager who sounded alarm over paedophile Ashley Griffith found not guilty of computer hacking
(32 minutes later)
Brisbane court acquits Yolanda Borucki, who claims she attempted to report Griffith to police in 2021 Brisbane court acquits Yolanda Borucki, who claims she attempted to report worker to police in 2021
A childcare centre manager who alerted police to one of Australia’s worst paedophiles has been found not guilty of computer hacking for using a restricted computer to inform the media.A childcare centre manager who alerted police to one of Australia’s worst paedophiles has been found not guilty of computer hacking for using a restricted computer to inform the media.
Yolanda Borucki worked at the same Uniting Church childcare centre as Ashley Paul Griffith in 2021 and helped report him to authorities that year, but police and the centre rejected the allegations after an investigation.Yolanda Borucki worked at the same Uniting Church childcare centre as Ashley Paul Griffith in 2021 and helped report him to authorities that year, but police and the centre rejected the allegations after an investigation.
Griffith was charged a year later after being linked with child sexual abuse material online by a different police unit. He was convicted of 307 child sexual offences committed over a period of nearly 20 years in September, and was sentenced to serve life in prison last month. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
Magistrate Kerrie O’Callaghan found Borucki not guilty of computer hacking for using a restricted computer without consent and causing detriment to the church worth more than $5,000. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
Borucki was charged just days after appearing on A Current Affair, where she revealed complaints of indecent behaviour by Griffith. Griffith was charged a year later after being linked to child sexual abuse material online by a different police unit. In September he was convicted of 307 child sexual offences committed over a period of nearly 20 years and last month was sentenced to serve life in prison.
She was accused of sending several emails containing documents to her private email and Channel 9 employee Daniel Nolan. A magistrate, Kerrie O’Callaghan, found Borucki not guilty of computer hacking for using a restricted computer without consent and causing detriment to the church worth more than $5,000.
Th emails allegedly contained private information of six families and children, including one of Griffith’s victims. Borucki was charged just days after appearing on A Current Affair revealing complaints of indecent behaviour by Griffith.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge and a trial was held at Brisbane magistrates court earlier this year. She was accused of sending several emails containing documents to her private email and to a Channel Nine employee, Daniel Nolan.
The emails allegedly contained private information about six families and children, including one of Griffith’s victims.
She pleaded not guilty and a trial was held at Brisbane magistrates court this year.
O’Callaghan found the prosecution had failed to prove that Borucki had used the computer beyond reasonable doubt.O’Callaghan found the prosecution had failed to prove that Borucki had used the computer beyond reasonable doubt.
The magistrate also found that the prosecution had failed to prove that she did not have permission to send the emails or that doing so caused harm.The magistrate also found that the prosecution had failed to prove that she did not have permission to send the emails or that doing so caused harm.
Sign up to Breaking News Australia
Get the most important news as it breaks
after newsletter promotion
Borucki broke down in tears on hearing the verdict on Friday.Borucki broke down in tears on hearing the verdict on Friday.
Queensland police are now investigating claims that they ignored a 2009 complaint by a mother who believes her male child was abused by Griffith. Griffith has not been charged with that offence Queensland police are now investigating claims that they ignored a 2009 complaint by a woman who believes her son was abused by Griffith. Griffith has not been charged with that offence.
Borucki was told she would be made redundant the day before Griffith was arrested and sacked shortly afterwards. Her Blue Card is currently suspended. Borucki was told she would be made redundant the day before Griffith was arrested and she was sacked shortly afterwards. Her blue card permitting her to work with children is suspended.
If convicted she would have faced a maximum of 10 years in prison.If convicted she would have faced a maximum of 10 years in prison.
In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. The crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In an emergency, call 000. International helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org.In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. The crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In an emergency, call 000. International helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org.
In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. The crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In an emergency, call 000. International helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org.In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. The crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In an emergency, call 000. International helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org.