Outrage Over Pedophile In Kid’s Train Brochure

Due to some inexplicable editorial mistake, a town in England used a photo of a known pedophile in their tourist brochure, depicting him as “The Fat Conductor” of a train ride for kids titled “Fun In The Forest.”

David Harper worked at the kiddie ride for several years before he was discovered to be a pedophile. The 66 year old would dress up as “The Fat Conductor” character from the popular kid’s TV series Thomas The Tank Engine and delight children with his impersonation at Thomas themed events. The picture used in all 50,000 copies of the town’s 2009 visitors brochure was taken at Dean Forest Railway, where Harper had volunteered to help out and pose for pictures with children before his arrest in 2007.

Harper was discovered with over 25,000 pornographic pictures of children, including some of him abusing his victims, aged 10 and 12. He was sentenced to eight years in prison by a judge who told him ‘Your depravity knew no bounds. You have sunk as low as a man can sink.’

So how did he end up in a brochure supposed to attract people to the town? The manager for Forest of Dean development and tourism, Steve Kendall, claims it was an unfortunate mistake. He says that the file was a stock image they used to advertise the kiddie ride, and that they simply hadn’t thought to verify the identity of the man in the photo. Kendall also tried to downplay the scandal by arguing that no one outside the town would recognize Harper.

“We in no way condone what that individual did but it is important to note that he was not captioned or named in the picture and it is the character of the Fat Controller not the individual which is promoting the attraction. The booklet is intended to attract people from outside the area, so it is unlikely that those not living here will be aware of this man’s background.”

Kendall also said that after spending £25,000 (about $36,000) on the brochures they couldn’t afford to destroy all the copies, budget-wise or in terms of the tourism it might cost them. He did, however, destroy the original photo and order that no further brochures be sent out.

Not much comfort for one of Harper’s victims, who said he first met Harper at the Dean Forest Railway. Also upset is Dan Norris, Labour minister for the county, who chastised the Forest of Dean council for using the budget concern an an excuse for not recalling the brochures. “Knowing that this man had harmed children in the past, they should have taken every step possible to ensure this picture was not used. There are some things more important than money and this is certainly one of them.”

Also, maybe stop hiring pedophiles to work at “Fun In The Forest”- themed kiddie rides. Just a thought.

Paedophile’s picture used in tourist brochure [Times Online]

Bungling council used paedophile dubbed ‘The Fat Controller’ to promote Thomas The Tank Engine ride [Daily Mail]