Mohammed Skaf: Fears over the looming release of notorious gang rapist who is again seeking parole


‘Something needs to be done’: Why notorious Skaf gang rapist, 37, could soon step foot out of jail for the first time since he terrorised Sydney women as a teenager

  • Mohammed Skaf part of gang of 14 youths responsible for seven gang rapes 
  • In 2001, Skaf, then 17, found guilty and sentenced to almost 23 years in prison
  • Eligible for parole since 2018 but repeatedly denied as ‘not safe’ for community
  • Due for release on January 1, 2024 and seeking parole now for the fourth time
  • Concerns remain about his ‘reintegration’ to society as he hasn’t accepted blame

Authorities are worried about notorious and unrepentant gang rapist Mohammed Skaf re-entering society as his release date edges closer.

Skaf is seeking parole for the fourth time after being sentenced to nearly 23 years in jail in 2001 for his part in a series of horrific sexual assaults against six teenage girls in Sydney in 2000, led by his brother Bilal.

He was eligible for parole in 2018 but has been repeatedly denied by the State Parole Authority on the advice of the Serious Offenders Review Council.

An artist's impression of how Mohammed Skaf looked when appearing at his adjourned parole hearing in February. Authorities are worried about how the unrepentant rapist will reintegrate into society

An artist’s impression of how Mohammed Skaf looked when appearing at his adjourned parole hearing in February. Authorities are worried about how the unrepentant rapist will reintegrate into society

Mohammed Skaf, Bilal's younger brother, acted as bait luring girls into situations where the gang - and he - preyed on them during the notorious Sydney gang rapes

Mohammed Skaf, Bilal’s younger brother, acted as bait luring girls into situations where the gang – and he – preyed on them during the notorious Sydney gang rapes

Skaf’s lawyers are aiming to have the convicted rapist, who is due to be released on January 1, 2024, reclassified to a minimum security clearance meaning he could get day release.

That could allow him to, for example, attend a TAFE course. 

Skaf, now 37, appeared before the State Parole Authority by videolink from Junee Correctional Centre, looking unrecognisable from the 17-year-old boy who played a key role in the gang rapes that shocked Australia.

He was heavily built, with dark facial hair, wrinkled face with dark circles around his eyes, NCA NewsWire reported.

He addressed the court only once – to indicate he understood the proceedings. 

Discussions centered on what to do with Skaf to prepare him for facing the outside world – something that concerns authorities given he has never admitted responsibility and continues to blame his victims.

SKAF GANG RAMPAGE: A TIMELINE 

August 10th, 2000: Two teenagers (one 17 and the other 18) were offered drugs. They were taken by car to the gang, who were waiting at Northcote Park in Greenacre.

They were forced to perform sex acts on eight men.  

August 12th, 2000: Mohammed took a 16-year-old friend to his brother and friends. Bilal and another male raped the girl in front of 12 men.

August 30th, 2000: Woman known only as Ms C was raped by Mohamed who told her he was going to ‘f**k her Leb style’.

She was taken to a separate location and raped and assaulted by 14 men for for six hours.

September 4th, 2000: Two girls were attacked at a train station and taken to a home where they were assaulted by three men over a five hour period. 

This has meant he could not be considered low risk.

The State Parole Authority said Skaf should not be released at the end of his sentence ‘without the opportunity of external leave or a substantial period of supervised parole’. 

‘The worrying aspect of it is, that Skaf has been in custody for such a long time and obviously if one pathway is exhausted and can’t be achieved, then clearly something needs to be done,’ Judge David Frearson said.

‘You can’t just let someone out in the community (without reintegration) it’s just too difficult.’ 

Last November, concerns were raised about whether Skaf ‘could ever progress in classification to allow participation in external leave from prison’.

External leave programs are considered necessary to safely re-integrate long-term prisoners into the community. 

In February, Mr Frearson was adamant Skaf ‘remains a denier after all these years’.

‘He’s done the [sex offenders] program, he’s still a denier,’ Mr Frearson told the parole review.

‘What’s it going to take for him to acknowledge some responsibility?’

Authorities are hoping Skaf is granted gradual release under structured supervision into the community so he can effectively integrate with society after serving more than half his life in prison.

Mohammed Skaf in a police photo taken at the time of his arrest in October 2000

Mohammed Skaf in a police photo taken at the time of his arrest in October 2000

Junee Correctional Centre, where convicted gang rapist Mohammed Skaf is incarcerated

Junee Correctional Centre, where convicted gang rapist Mohammed Skaf is incarcerated

But lawyers for the state asked the parole bid again be denied meaning he would have to reapply in November. 

The parole hearing was adjourned until August 27 to ‘to allow for a further assessment of Skaf’s conduct in custody and a review of his prison classification’.

Skaf gang ringleader Bilal Skaf received a sentence of 55 years which was later reduced. 

He is eligible for parole in 2033 when he will be aged 52.

Nine men in the Lebanese-Australian gang were sentenced to a total of 240 years jail for the crimes. 

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