Daily London
A convicted child sex offender has been working in close proximity to children, it’s been revealed.
A 9News investigation has uncovered the man’s criminal past, despite being employed for months at a popular south-east Queensland petting zoo.
The City Chicks Farm and Cafe in Samford Valley is fast becoming a popular family attraction north-west of Brisbane.
It’s promoted as a petting zoo and a place for parents and children to cool off and have a swim, pat the animals, play on the jumping castle and grab a bite to eat.
But visiting families might not know one of its workers, Steven James Harvey, has a serious criminal history.
In 2017, the District Court in Brisbane found him guilty of 15 sex offences, some against children.
They include two counts of maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child, two counts of indecent treatment of a child, nine of rape and two sexual assaults.
He received a sentence of eight years and became eligible for parole in 2021.
In one social media video, Harvey describes himself as the head chef and one of the owners.
Images posted online show him working closely with children at the cafe, leaving some parents shocked.
“He’s very close to children, reacting, holding baby goats,” local mum Jen Fleming said.
“As a parent to toddlers, you know, that’s the first thing that kids will go to is cute animals, so I think it’s scary.”
Safeguarding People Australia founding director Hetty Johnston said it was “common sense”.
“It shouldn’t need clarification from anybody. This is just outrageous,” she said.
9News spotted Harvey at the cafe over the past week, including today.
He had been in a romantic relationship with the cafe’s owner Ingrid Dimock for more than a year.
Today we visited the business to ask her what she knew of his past.
She didn’t have a comment at the time but later provided a statement.
“We had absolutely no prior knowledge of the individual’s criminal history and are both shocked and appalled by the information that has come to light,” she said.
“Upon learning of it, we acted immediately and decisively to terminate his employment and permanently sever all association with this person.
“I’m heartbroken … I have no further connection with him.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said if a person or business provided active recreation services involving children they were required to hold a blue card, unless an exemption applied.
9News understands this matter has now been referred to the police for investigation.
The cafe’s owner said she was under the impression there were no requirements for blue cards at this venue as children usually attended with a guardian or parent.
