NEIGHBOURS have complained to Victoria’s public housing authority about paedophile Jeremy Kewley living in a taxpayer-funded home at Beechworth.
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The convicted child sex offender has been residing at a property in an eight-unit complex since his release from prison in the middle of the year.
A fellow resident at the address, who did not want to be identified, said she did not believe Kewley was qualified to live there based on his age, lack of frailty and work status.
“He’s taking a spot that a poor, old homeless person could have,” she said.
Kewley, 58, an actor who has appeared on television in Blue Heelers and as underworld figure Des Moran, created alarm at Rutherglen at the weekend by working at a polling booth at the town’s primary school.
Kewley has created unease since moving to the Beechworth property after a prison stint for sexual assaults on boys aged nine to 14 from 1989 to 2011.
“They’re all concerned, they’re too afraid to say anything,” the neighbour said.
“He’s tried to become extremely friendly and I’ve found this a bit weird, he’s also tried to entice my dog into his unit.”
The woman said she and three others, as well as neighbours from outside the complex, had complained to the housing authority about Kewley being unsuitable to live there.
A Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman would not comment on Kewley’s circumstances.
However, it is understood he met the criteria for occupying a unit in such a unit complex.
They include being over the age of 55 and in receipt of welfare payments.
The spokeswoman said it was standard practice for those leaving prison to be offered access to government accommodation.
“People exiting prison can apply for public housing, just like anyone else and if eligible will be allocated a property,” she said.
Indigo mayor Bernard Gaffney, who lives at Beechworth, said “it was very well known” among townsfolk that Kewley had made his home in the heritage hub.
Kewley was originally charged with 103 offences in December 2014 after images of his victims were found at his Melbourne home in Brighton and his holiday property at Mitta.
In September of that year he hosted a Foster Care Week luncheon organised by Anglicare and held at Albury’s Commercial Club.
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