Convicted paedophile Stephen Maxwell Murray working in toy shop
A CONVICTED paedophile is working in a Carlton toy shop thanks to a loophole in the state’s child protection laws.
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A CONVICTED paedophile is working in a Carlton toy shop thanks to a loophole in the state’s child protection laws.
A review of the state’s Sex Offender Register and Working With Children permits was promised by the State Government after the Herald Sun informed it of the situation.
Stephen Maxwell Murray, who has three convictions for indecently assaulting teenage boys, operates Animasia, a Carlton store that sells models, comics, games and films based on Japanese anime — stylised Japanese cartoons popular with adolescents.
Ten years ago the sexual predator was sacked after being caught working behind the counter of comics shop The Crypt in Footscray.
At that time Victoria’s working with children laws were still being drafted.
Murray has run the Carlton shop for at least four years, organising model making workshops and competitions during school holidays. Authorities say he is not breaking any law.
There is currently no requirement for people working in child-focused retail to obtain a working with children permit and no laws stopping convicted paedophiles from working in shops that attract young customers.
Attorney-General Martin Pakula told the Herald Sun he would asked the Department of Justice to review the system.
“Like any parent I’m extremely concerned at the prospect of this happening,” he said. “I’ve asked the Department of Justice and Regulation to review the definition of child related employment under the Sex Offenders Registration Act … to ensure it covers relevant employment which involves contact with children that poses a threat to them.”
Mr Pakula urged anyone who suspects or has information about possible abuse of a child to report it to police.
Murray, aged in his 50s, was not at the store yesterday and hung up when called at his Footscray home.
Anyone who has unsupervised, non-incidental contact with children in specified occupation categories is required to undergo a Working With Children Check.
Currently the occupation categories do not include children-related retail roles.
The Sex offenders Register prohibits registrants working with children but its definition of child-related employment, which includes providing commercial services and business activities does not include child-focused retail.