Convicted paedophile Steven Harvey removed from petting zoo near Brisbane
A convicted pedophile who was found working at a child-friendly cafe and farm was allegedly fired by the business owner following widespread community concern and protest.
Police confirmed a small peaceful protest took place outside the City Chicks Farm and Cafe in the Samford Valley, northwest of Brisbane, on Sunday morning.
Earlier this week, A Current Event It was revealed that Steven James Harvey, who was sentenced to eight years in prison for more than a dozen crimes in 2017, worked at the business. Of Harvey’s 15 crimes, four were against children and nine were rape.
The facility advertises itself as a “children’s playground” where children can feed and pet the animals.
Harvey began working on the property shortly after he was released from prison.
The business wrote Saturday afternoon that they were aware of the concerns expressed online and had been sent a message.
City Chicks said the matter was addressed and steps were taken to terminate Harvey.
“Steve Harvey does not work at City Chicks,” the business wrote online.
“He has nothing to do with this anymore.”
Owner Ingrid Dimock previously said she sacked Harvey after Nine News first exposed his past in November.
He claimed at the time that he was just trying to save his business and reassure families that their jobs were safe.
Dimock had been in a relationship with Harvey for almost two years.
On Sunday, Deputy Commissioner Rhys Wildman said police investigations into the incident were continuing.
“Obviously, some new information has come to light during the week. Police are currently investigating the incident in question,” he said.
“The venue is currently closed and we are aware that a peaceful protest took place this morning with approximately 25 people attending.
“The police have been notified and the police are actually there, but there are no problems and we are absolutely delighted with the protesters and what they are trying to do today and we will support them in peaceful protests as we have done hundreds of times. [elsewhere] every year.”
Wildman said he believes the closure was the decision of City Chicks management. He did not elaborate on whether police had spoken to Dimock.
When A Current Event When he approached Harvey in the cafe this week, he claimed he had been cleared by police and had “done nothing wrong”.
“I sent the cops here. They know I’m here. They don’t have a problem with me being here. Why do you?” Harvey said.
he said A Current Event He had more criminal convictions and always maintained his innocence. Saying that he was not a sick individual, he said, “You don’t know the history of everything that happened.”
Asked about Harvey on Sunday, Police Minister Dan Purdie said he was also a parent and found the footage of him worrying.
He said if there were to be tougher laws, the government would enforce them. Earlier this week, shadow attorney general Meaghan Scanlon said it was inconceivable that someone convicted of such offenses would be allowed to work with children.
On Friday afternoon, the business said the cafe and farm walk were currently closed, but the chicken shop remained open.
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Dan Nolan is senior reporter for A Current Affair in Queensland.
