Gang rapist Mohammed Skaf remains in denial during parole hearing

Notorious gang rapist Mohammed Skaf has been rebuked at his latest parole hearing after continuing to deny responsibility for this actions.

Notorious Sydney gang rapist Mohammed Skaf plea has continued to deny responsibility for his vile actions, with the state parole chairman asking the court: “What’s it going to take?”

The 37-year-old wore a green V-neck shirt, had a clean-shaven face and similar hair to when he was jailed at 17 – except the sides were shaved – when he appeared via video link for his parole hearing in the Parramatta Court on Friday.

It was the first time the general public had seen Skaf in seven years.

The high-profile inmate has been denied freedom a handful of times, despite being made eligible for parole three years ago.

The court heard his latest bid for parole would be put over to April 30, 2021 for further submissions to determine if he will ever be eligible for day release.

State Parole Authority Chairman David Frearson SC criticised Skaf’s innocent stance.

“Notwithstanding the history of the matter and the abundance of evidence about the matter, Mr Skaf remains a denier,” Mr Frearson said.

Mohammed Skaf in 2000.

Skaf was 17 when he was jailed.

“It comes a time where he may have to acknowledge some responsibility. What’s it going to take?”

Skaf denies he and his brother Bilal Skaf led a gang of men who terrorised women ahead of the 2000 Olympic Games.

The Serious Offender Review Council (SORC) concluded Skaf would not be suitable for parole at a private hearing last November.

Reviewing the recommendation today, Mr Frearson said the safety of the community depended on his gradual integration into the community.

But COVID was the first hurdle to his parole when prisoner’s external leave was halted.

And to be eligible for parole, Skaf will need to be approved for a C3 Classification from SORC.

He has an appointment in December to see if he is eligible.

Police surveillance video of the gang in October 2000.

Mr Frearson asked Crown Solicitor Joanna Davidson to see if that could be brought forward.

The chairman warned he had never known a prisoner to be released on extended leave, who was a sex offender, above average risk to the community and was in “denial”.

The five-team panel deciding Skaf‘s fate comprises of two community members, a police officer, a community corrections representative and Mr Frearson.

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

The serious offender has spent the last two decades in full-time custody separated from other inmates for his own protection.

He battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer, while in Long Bay Prison.

He was moved to Junee last year but still remains under protection with limited social interaction.

His head sentence expires on January 1, 2024