Gang rapist Mohammed Skaf’s parole bid delayed but not over

The latest parole bid by gang rapist Mohammed Skaf has been delayed with authorities saying “something needs to be done” to reintegrate him before his sentence ends in two years.

Gang rapist Mohammed Skaf could take his first step outside prison since he was a teenager by the end of the year after the parole authority said “something needs to be done” with the infamous prisoner.

But NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman has flagged extraordinary measures to keep Skaf behind bars.

The sex offender was locked up for sexual attacks on six teenage girls as part of a gang led by his brother Bilal in the lead up to the Sydney Olympics.

In January 2001, the 17-year-old was sentenced to 22 years, 11 months and 30 days in prison.

The State Parole Authority, on Friday, met again to discuss what to do with the last two and a half years they have with Skaf.

Mohammed Skaf’s parole bid has been delayed.

Mohammed Skaf‘s a mug shot from 2000.

“Looking at the matter of how long (Skaf‘s been) in custody, and the need for some type of reintegration process, it would seem in the absence of external leave he’ll need considerable time on parole,” Chairman David Frearson SC said.

The 37-year-old appeared via videolink at the authority with gelled hair and a prison green jacket as lawyers and officers debated his most “realistic pathway” outside prison.

Lawyers for the state asked the authority to refuse Skaf‘s parole bid on Friday and allow him to reapply in November.

But Judge Frearson instead stood the matter over until August to give Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Severin a chance to read new reports about Skaf.

Skaf’s lawyers hope Mr Severin will be convinced to reclassify the rapist to the minimum security clearance which would make him eligible for day release.

A Daily Telegraph front page.

A Daily Telegraph front page.

But that would be unprecedented as Skaf continues to deny responsibility for his heinous crimes and blames his victims so experts don’t consider him low risk.

His lawyers would need to argue there are exceptional circumstances if the report given to Mr Severin advises against Skaf‘s release.

Skaf’s denials leave authorities with a difficult choice; either parole an unrepentant rapist so he can be supervised and reintegrated or hold him in custody until his sentence ends.

If they do not release Skaf on parole they are concerned he will walk out of prison and return to his family home essentially unsupervised on January 1, 2024.

“The worrying aspect of it is Mr Skaf has been in custody for such a long time and obviously, if one pathway is exhausted and it can‘t be achieved, then clearly something needs to be done,” Judge Frearson said.

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

NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman says he would call on legislation that could see Skaf locked up under continuing court orders or electronically monitored if he is released.

“He is one of the worst criminals in NSW history so that will be given very, very serious consideration,” he said.

“For the very worst offenders we have post-sentence detention orders and post-sentence supervision orders, so that even when the sentence ends, I can apply to the court for an order they stay in jail or be subject to supervision in the community.”

He said the State Parole Authority would have to be “incredibly cautious” with someone like Skaf.

Skaf‘s lawyers hope a decision will be made to release him at the August hearing.