Convicted paedophile charged following petting zoo allegations

1 month ago 13

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A convicted paedophile who was found working at a children’s petting zoo north-west of Brisbane has been charged with 13 offences, including failing to comply with his reporting obligations.

Last week, A Current Affair revealed Steven James Harvey, who was sentenced to eight years’ jail in 2017 for more than a dozen offences, was working at City Chicks Farm and Cafe in Samford Valley. Of Harvey’s 15 offences, four were against children, as well as nine counts of rape.

That Harvey was working at the business – described in advertising as a “kids play space” – was initially revealed by Nine News in November last year.

Harvey started working there shortly after he was released from prison.

City Chicks owner Ingrid Dimock, who was in a relationship with Harvey for almost two years, told Nine in November he had been “removed from the premises”.

But A Current Affair found Harvey working at the farm last week, sparking community outrage.

City Chicks owner Ingrid Dimock was in a relationship with Steven Harvey for almost two years.

Harvey told the program there was more to his criminal convictions, and he always maintained his innocence. He said he was not a sick individual, adding, “you don’t know all of my history of everything that happened”.

“I’m not doing anything wrong. I’ve had the police out here. They know that I’m here. They don’t have a problem with me being here. Why do you?” he said.

Dimock again said Harvey had been removed from the farm after locals protested outside on Sunday.

“Steve Harvey is not employed at City Chicks,” the business wrote online. “He has no involvement in this business any longer.”

Earlier in the week she told A Current Affair Harvey was working “legally in a strictly operational role behind the scenes, with no contact with children”.

Harvey was released on bail after being charged this week and was expected to appear at the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on February 16.

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