In this episode, Adam Shand uncovers the chilling legacy of one of Queensland’s most feared and controversial police officers: Superintendent Mervin Henry Stevenson. 

Adam speaks with Elliot Hannay, former editor of the Townsville Bulletin, who had multiple disturbing encounters with Stevenson during Queensland’s pre-Fitzgerald era—an age defined by corruption, cover-ups and intimidation at the highest levels. Hannay reveals threats, mysterious suicides, allegations of cattle duffing, drug operations, arms smuggling and the suspicious deaths and disappearances that many locals still whisper about today.

In this episode, Adam Shand uncovers the chilling legacy of one of Queensland&rsquo;s most feared and controversial police officers: Superintendent Mervin Henry Stevenson.&nbsp;
Adam speaks with Elliot Hannay, former editor of the Townsville Bulletin, who had multiple disturbing encounters with Stevenson during Queensland&rsquo;s pre-Fitzgerald era&mdash;an age defined by corruption, cover-ups and intimidation at the highest levels. Hannay reveals threats, mysterious suicides, allegations of cattle duffing, drug operations, arms smuggling and the suspicious deaths and disappearances that many locals still whisper about today.

Join investigative journalist Adam Shand each week as he takes you into his world of real crime, honed from forty years of covering Australia's biggest law and order stories. These are the firsthand stories of the cops, robbers, and victims who lived them.

Join investigative journalist Adam Shand each week as he takes you into his world of real crime, honed from forty years of covering Australia's biggest law and order stories. These are the firsthand stories of the cops, robbers, and victims who lived them.

Real Crime with Adam Shand

Join investigative journalist Adam Shand each week as he takes you into his world of real crime, honed from forty years of covering Australia's biggest law and order stories. These are the firsthand stories of the cops, robbers, and victims who lived them. 

Join investigative journalist Adam Shand each week as he takes you into his world of real crime, honed from forty years of covering Australia's biggest law and order stories. These are the firsthand stories of the cops, robbers, and victims who lived them.&nbsp;

The Dark Legend of Mervin Henry Stevenson | Elliot Hannay

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/f168c7ff-fdc1-4108-87e2-b3b00062e2d7/transcript

In 1990, Victoria passed an extraordinary law to keep notorious violent offender Gary David (Webb) behind bars after his sentence had expired. Former Victorian MP Neil Cole was one of the few politicians to oppose the legislation, arguing it ignored the reality that David was suffering from severe mental illness. In this fascinating interview, Cole reflects on a decision that reshaped Australian law and asks whether preventive detention has become an increasingly accepted response to managing dangerous offenders.

In 1990, Victoria passed an extraordinary law to keep notorious violent offender Gary David (Webb) behind bars after his sentence had expired. Former Victorian MP Neil Cole was one of the few politicians to oppose the legislation, arguing it ignored the reality that David was suffering from severe mental illness. In this fascinating interview, Cole reflects on a decision that reshaped Australian law and asks whether preventive detention has become an increasingly accepted response to managing dangerous offenders.

The Prisoner Who Changed Australian Law

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/02df7f33-d5bf-4fc6-ba2a-b490003eba7b/transcript

Australia's illicit tobacco trade has fuelled a wave of firebombings, extortion and organised crime. But is history about to repeat itself with alcohol?In this episode of From the Desk, Adam Shand examines how rising alcohol excise may be creating new opportunities for criminal syndicates. From illegal distilleries and counterfeit spirits to billion-dollar tax losses and dangerous contaminated alcohol, he explores the unintended consequences of government policy and asks whether Australia has found the right balance between protecting public health and preventing organised crime.

Australia's illicit tobacco trade has fuelled a wave of firebombings, extortion and organised crime. But is history about to repeat itself with alcohol?In this episode of From the Desk, Adam Shand examines how rising alcohol excise may be creating new opportunities for criminal syndicates. From illegal distilleries and counterfeit spirits to billion-dollar tax losses and dangerous contaminated alcohol, he explores the unintended consequences of government policy and asks whether Australia has found the right balance between protecting public health and preventing organised crime.

From the Desk - Is Australia creating its next black market?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/5a067e01-d168-4031-86eb-b49000108a9c/transcript

Janine Haskins tells Adam about her campaign to reform police investigations of suicides and the coronial process in the ACT after the 2020 death of her 23-year-old daughter Bronte. Janine believes that police need to avoid tunnel vision when approaching the suspected suicide of young people where there may be other possibilities. The ACT coroner found that Bronte had taken her own life, but her mother is not convinced and wants other families to avoid the same situation.

This episode contains discussions of suicide, mental health, substance dependency, trauma, and the death of a young person. Some listeners may find this content distressing. Please listen with care.

If this episode raises concerns for you or someone you know, support is available:
Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
In an emergency, or if someone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).

Janine Haskins tells Adam about her campaign to reform police investigations of suicides and the coronial process in the ACT after the 2020 death of her 23-year-old daughter Bronte. Janine believes that police need to avoid tunnel vision when approaching the suspected suicide of young people where there may be other possibilities. The ACT coroner found that Bronte had taken her own life, but her mother is not convinced and wants other families to avoid the same situation.
This episode contains discussions of suicide, mental health, substance dependency, trauma, and the death of a young person. Some listeners may find this content distressing. Please listen with care.
If this episode raises concerns for you or someone you know, support is available:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>Lifeline Australia &ndash; 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au</li>
<li>Suicide Call Back Service &ndash; 1300 659 467</li>
<li>Beyond Blue &ndash; 1300 22 4636</li>
<li>In an emergency, or if someone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).</li>
</ul>

The Fight for Bronte -Janine Haskins 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/5f067d05-cff6-4468-ac1a-b48700206ebd/transcript

The Dark Legend of Mervin Henry Stevenson | Elliot Hannay

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