Calliope grandmother Maxine Davey convicted and fined after outing convicted sex offender Edward James Thomson

A GoFundMe has been set-up to help pay the fine of a Central Queensland grandmother who was convicted after outing a child sex offender in her community.

A Central Queensland grandmother has been overwhelmed by widespread support after she was convicted and fined for outing a child sex offender living in her community.

Maxine Davey, 59, moved to Calliope, south of Gladstone, three years ago to be closer to family after surviving her second battle with breast cancer.

Ms Davey was devastated when last month she was convicted and fined $2200 in the Gladstone Magistrates Court for unlawful stalking after she published a video on social media filming the property where a convicted child sex offender had recently returned after being released from prison.

Maxine Davey has been convicted for sharing personal details of a convicted child sex offender. Picture: Channel 9.

“It really affected me, I was asked by local police to come down for a quick chat, and then I was charged and placed in a cell for almost four hours,” Ms Davey said.

“I was in shock, and while I didn’t intend or realise I was breaking the law, I accept that and will have to live with a criminal conviction over my head, and that goes for job interviews or getting on a plane, it’s really stressful.”

Edward James Thomson, 41, was convicted on November 6, 2020 for a number of crimes against children including one count of indecent treatment of a child under 12, three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16, sexual assault and rape.

His victims were two girls – one aged 16 and another between 10 and 12 at the time.

Edward James Thomson, 41 was convicted in 2020 for a number of crimes including indecent treatment of children and rape. Picture: Channel 9.

However, Thomson was released after serving only one year of his two year and nine month jail term on a suspended sentence.

Following his release, Ms Davey staged a solo protest at a busy intersection in the small town of about 5000 people, to warn residents about his presence.

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Later, Ms Davey posted a video which remained online for fewer than three hours before removing it, in which she walked along public footpath filming Thomson’s home and identifying vehicles parked outside.

Ms Davey is now gagged from speaking about Thomson for two years as part of a non-contact order.

For the nine months before her court date, Ms Davey could not go within 60 metres of his property, a requirement which has since been lifted.

Maxine Davey plans to hold a solo protest again this weekend. Picture: Channel 9.

A Go-Fund-Me page has now been established to help pay the fine and Ms Davey has pledged that any excess donations would be redistributed in three parts.

“It’s just unbelievable how many people have reached out to me but I didn’t do this for myself or for attention, I did it for the children and the victims of these horrific crimes,” she said.

“And I just want to say to the victims of these crimes that I know coverage of these issues can be traumatic and I sincerely hope they’re doing okay.”

Ms Davey will donate any excess funds to victims of child sex offences, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and Bravehearts.

After taking some months off from advocacy to look after her health during legal proceedings, she will again stage a solo protest to “keep children safe from paedophiles” this Saturday.

Originally published as Calliope grandmother Maxine Davey convicted and fined after outing convicted sex offender Edward James Thomson