Serial schoolgirl rapist Mohammed Skaf’s sad transformation after decades behind bars

A serial rapist’s sad transformation was revealed when he appeared in court in a bid for freedom after a shocking gang rape spree.

Notorious gang rapist Mohammed Skaf will remain behind bars for now, after his latest bid for freedom hit another roadblock as the end of his lengthy sentence looms.

The 37-year-old was virtually unrecognisable when he appeared before a NSW State Parole Board review hearing at Parramatta on Friday via video link from Junee Correctional Centre.

Decades behind bars had clearly taken their toll. His face appeared wrinkled and his eyes were laced with dark circles as he listened intently to whether his latest bid for freedom would be granted.

He appeared well built and had dark facial hair, a stark contrast to the skinny and clean-shaven teen who was arrested by police more than 20 years ago.

Mohammed Skaf has been in prison since he was 17.

Skaf is fighting for external leave after spending two decades behind bars. He and his elder brother Bilal led the infamous Skaf rape gang that assaulted young women on a four-week rampage before the 2000 Olympics.

But Skaf will have to wait another four months until a decision could be made and plan formulated on how to reintegrate him into society safely.

Due to Skaf’s classification in the prison system, he is not eligible for external leave.

He has a C2 classification that must be downgraded to the minimum security classification, C3, in order to be eligible for day release or external leave, which includes educational purposes or work.

No prisoner has ever been granted that classification if they have committed multiple sex offences, continue to deny responsibility and are considered an above-average risk of reoffending.

Corrective Services NSW’s Serious Offenders Review Council will reassess the classification in July.

Speaking at the hearing on Friday, State Parole Authority chairman David Frearson SC said something had to be done.

Convicted gang rapist Mohommad Skaf is led to a prison van from Supreme Court in Sydney in 2006. Picture: Graham Crouch

“Skaf has been in custody for such a long time, and obviously if one pathway has exhausted and can’t be achieved, clearly something has to be done,” he said.

“You can’t just let someone out into the community (without gradual release and testing), it is too difficult.”

He said authorities must consider the next best appropriate course and Skaf would need “considerable time” on parole.

Skaf only addressed the parole board once to say he understood proceedings.

The matter has been pushed back for a possible determination at an August 27 hearing.

Skaf would need to demonstrate exceptional circumstances to be granted leave after the Serious Offenders Review Council advised against it.

He is being held at Junee Correctional Centre.

His lawyers will look to put forward exceptional circumstances and said there was a “question mark” as to whether external leave would ever be approved.

Skaf, who was 17 at the time, and his brother Bilal led a gang of at least 14 other men who committed a series of rapes in August and September 2000. His gang raped at least six schoolgirls, some as young as 14.

He has repeatedly denied responsibility and blamed his victims for the series of rapes that shocked the country.

Skaf was initially handed a 31-year jail term, but his sentence was slashed on appeal.

He was sentenced to 22 years, 11 months and 30 days in prison, with his jail term set to expire on January 1, 2024. He became eligible for parole in January 2018 but has had several appeals for parole knocked back.

Skaf has spent two decades behind bars, during which he has battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma.