FIFO worker Richard Thomas Daws flees after admitting to producing child exploitation material in Denmark

A Great Southern fly-in, fly-out worker has admitted to writing child exploitation material on three occasions before fleeing from waiting media outside the Albany courthouse with a bag zipped over his head. Richard Thomas Daws, 55, pleaded guilty to three counts of producing child exploitation material in a brief appearance at Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday. Daws committed the trio of charges in Denmark on three dates in 2024 and 2025, two ranging for extended periods. The first was between November 14, 2024 and June 13, 2025, the second was between August 9 and 24, while the final charge occurred on July 29 this year. Defence counsel Bruno Illari asked for the matter to be fast tracked and requested a pre-sentence report. He also requested Daws be able to answer bail via the phone or through his lawyer due to the nature of his fly-in, fly-out work. The matter was committed to the Albany District Court, where Daws will next appear for a sentence mention date on February 4, 2026. Daws covered his face when leaving the court house and attempted to slip media waiting outside, firstly running to hide in a nearby car park. He then ran along Lower Stirling Terrace, into the rear car park of the Water Corporation building and then scaled a fence in his attempt to flee. Daws fled to Anzac Peace Park, hiding in bushes with the zipped backpack over his head. Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.