Skaf gang rapist Mohamed Ghanem charged in drug sting despite being on parole
ONE of the men involved in the notorious Skaf gang rapists was out on parole when he was allegedly caught trying to sell one kilogram of ice this week. Now, serious questions are being asked as to why he was on parole.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ONE of the men involved in the notorious Skaf gang rapists was out on parole when he was allegedly caught trying to sell one kilogram of ice this week.
And now serious questions are being asked as to why he was out on parole — and why the authorities had removed his electronic monitoring bracelet.
When Mohamed Ghanem was 17 years old, he acted as the “enthusiastic lieutenant” to the abhorrent rapist gang’s ringleader Bilal Skaf in 2000.
After spending 14 years behind bars for the sexual assault of two women in a Greenacre park, Ghanem, now 34, was released in December 2015.
His release was delayed because parole authorities formed the view Ghanem, who only knew adult life behind bars, should be slowly reintegrated into the community through prison release programs.
He also posed a medium-to-high risk of reoffending, the Court of Criminal Appeal heard in 2014.
Despite parole conditions banning him from having contact with “organised crime networks”, police allege Ghanem managed to get his hands on one kilogram of ice to sell in a lucrative drug deal in Greenacre.
RELATED
The Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad allegedly caught him selling the drugs to a man at the Bankstown Motel 10 on the Hume Highway on Monday afternoon.
When police caught up with Ghanem’s alleged buyer — Queensland businessman Hussein Sarhan — he tried to flee but ended up smashing into several unmarked police cars in Dundas.
Both Sarhan and Ghanem are facing charges of large commercial drug supply.
Corrective Services NSW confirmed Ghanem’s parole for the gang rapes had since been revoked.
Shadow Minister for Corrections Guy Zangari said the revelations raised serious questions about the level of monitoring on Ghanem.
“This is of major concern that someone who is a high risk sex offender is let out on parole and able to allegedly commit this offence,” he said.
“Who is monitoring this guy? Is the system really working?”
Almost two decades ago, Ghanem, who had his electronic monitoring bracelet removed last year, was one of several men involved in the brutal sexual assault of two young women in Greenacre.
One women was crash-tackled, thrown in a bush, held against her will and raped.
The other was dragged to a toilet block and forced to perform oral sex.
Several men were eventually convicted for the assaults of at least seven young women over four weeks in 2000, a series of crimes that terrified Sydney women.
Ghanem was sentenced to 17 years behind bars, with a non-parole period of 12 years, for his role in the Greenacre attacks.
His electronic monitoring was removed last year due to “due to compliance with his case management, reporting obligations and low risk of sexual reoffending”, a Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman said.
Skaf gang members
H
Name suppressed because he was a young person with intellectual disabilities at the time. Granted parole in 2014 after serving 11 years. Formed a relationship with a prison psychologist, who was eventually disqualified from practising.
Mahmoud Sanoussi
15 at the time of the gang rapes. Released on parole in 2009 after serving 16 years behind bars. He emerged as an associate of the Brothers For Life gang in 2014.
Mohamed Sanoussi
Mahmoud’s brother, 16 at the time of the rapes, was released from Silverwater jail in 2013 after serving 13 years.
Bilal Skaf
Ringleader of the gang rapes is still in Goulburn’s Supermax prison. Not eligible for parole until 2033.
Mohammed Skaf
the younger brother of Bilal was used as the bait to lure young women. Eligible for parole in January 2018.
Belal Hajeid
Sentence reduced on appeal to 13 years. Released in 2014.
Mahmoud Chami
Sentenced to 18 years jail. Released in 2013.
Tayyab Sheikh
He was 16 at the time. Sentenced to 15 years. He was released on parole in 2007.