Paedophile spotted dressing up as Santa at Beenleigh daycare centre
The NSW man, 44, was employed to carry out odd jobs at Beenleigh Montessori Early Learning Centre, where his 46-year-old wife served as director.
The man was convicted in 2007 of sexually abusing a child. He served eight months behind bars and was prohibited from engaging in any child-related work.
In a shock twist more than 15 years later, the man was arrested at his home in Logan, in Brisbane 's south, on Wednesday night.
He pleaded guilty to two child protection breaches and was fined $2,000.
Police confirmed there have been no reported incidents at the Beenleigh centre.
The centre's owner claimed they were unaware of the man's criminal past.
In one photo from the daycare, the man was seen dressed in a Santa Claus costume, complete with white gloves, beard and hat.
It comes after a 21-year-old man has been charged with indecent treatment of a child at a Brisbane childcare centre owned by embattled provider Affinity Education Group.
Police said the alleged offence involved a four-year-old child and occurred on July 10 at a facility in Tingalpa.
The Cleveland man has been charged with one count of indecent treatment of a child.
Affinity confirmed the man had been stood down after the matter was reported to police.
The provider is already under intense scrutiny following the arrest of Victorian childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown, who faces 70 charges of child abuse.
Brown had worked at multiple Affinity centres across Melbourne.
Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the recent cases highlighted the urgent need for reform and stronger national safeguards.
'The Coalition stands ready to work constructively with Labor to enact stronger childcare policies,' she said. 'The states also need to step up.'
In response, Education Minister Jason Clare is set to introduce new legislation that would allow the federal government to cut funding to non-compliant centres.
The new laws would also empower anti-fraud officers to carry out unannounced inspections without a police presence or warrant.
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