Ankles away as alleged crooks think of cutting and running or risk having bail revoked

A number of alleged Sydney criminals are considering cutting off their ankle bracelet monitors and fleeing overseas rather than risk having their bail revoked, underworld sources claim.

There are fears criminals, who are now facing court after the banning of ankle bracelet monitors, could flee rather than risk having their bail revoked. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

A number of alleged Sydney criminals are considering cutting off their ankle bracelet monitors and fleeing overseas rather than risk having their bail revoked after the NSW government banned the use of private electronic monitoring devices, underworld sources claim.

Its estimated 120 alleged offenders, including those charged with murder and major drug importation, who are currently free on bail now have to reapply to the court to have their conditions continued without monitors, with sources saying a few are looking at absconding overseas.

“There are some guys seriously looking at cutting and running, ‘’ said a recently released inmate.

“A few on very heavy charges think they will be sent back inside and now are looking at their options, … and one being a fake passport and going overseas,” he said.

Matthew John Langford cut off his ankle bracelet within minutes of leaving Silverwater jail in March. Picture: NSW Police

The ban was brought in by NSW Premier Chris Minns last month after The Daily Telegraph revealed deficiencies in the private system, including how Matthew John Langford cut off his ankle bracelet within minutes of leaving Silverwater jail in March.

He had been granted bail after being charged with serious domestic violence offences and is not part of the 120 people who will now have to justify having their bail continued.

A private monitoring device costs about $30,000 a year, paid for by the accused person.

Until the law changed in June, alleged offenders would offer to pay for their own ankle bracelets costs, normally between $30,000 to $40,000 a year as part of their conditions.

The ban on private electronic monitoring does not affect its mandatory use for those on bail or parole for serious domestic violence offences.