Wife’s letter for gang rapist husband Maurice Hawell

A woman has explained why she stood by her husband – who’s been convicted of three rapes – despite his “infidelity”.

The wife of a convicted gang rapist told a court why she has stood by him despite being “heartbroken” at his “infidelity”, as she pleaded for him to not be separated from their young child.

Maurice Hawell, 30, was last week sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty at trial of raping three women during his own buck’s party in February 2022.

His best friend Andrew David, 30, was jailed for 13 years and brother Marius Hawell, 23, for nine for their roles in the sexual assaults labelled as “degrading and heinous” by a judge.

Maurice Hawell’s wife, 29-year-old Loubna, was among those to write letters of support to the court before the sentencing on Friday.

Loubna and Maurice Hawell were married in 2022.

Maurice Hawell during his trial this year. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

“The discovery of Maurice’s infidelity was deeply painful for me and went against the values that are central to our relationship,” she wrote.

“Despite the unfaithfulness, I chose to forgive Maurice for this mistake, recognising that it was a breach of our relationship but not a reflection of his entire character.”

Court documents revealed the couple married in April 2022. Hawell was charged in May of that year, and faced trial in June 2024.

In her letter, Ms Hawell said the moment police arrived at their home with a search warrant detailing the allegations against her husband a few weeks after the wedding was “like being hit with a thunderbolt”.

The Hawells have been together since 2017.

She wrote that she remained in “utter shock” at the claims made against her solicitor husband, saying she believes his story of innocence.

“And although I was heartbroken to discover Maurice’s infidelity, I never, not for a single moment, believed he could be capable of the monstrous acts described in those papers,” she said.

“Maurice is the epitome of respect, humility, and generosity. He treats everyone with the highest dignity and respect.”

Hawell, from Bossley Park, pleaded not guilty to all charges at trial and argued any sexual activity he had during the buck’s trip to Newcastle was consensual.

Documents tendered on his behalf ahead of sentencing being passed state he maintains his innocence and would be appealing the verdicts.

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Andrew David (left), Maurice Hawell, and Marius Hawell were sentenced to jail last week. Picture: NewsWire

His wife pleaded for leniency from Judge Gina O’Rourke in her letter to the court, saying the “thought of living without Maurice is a heart-wrenching agony I can scarcely bear”.

“We hope that Your Honour can take into account the severe consequences of Maurice’s long-term incarceration this will have on (their family),” she wrote.

Three women gave evidence at trial of being invited back to an Airbnb the Hawell brothers, David and others were staying at before being sexually assaulted by multiple men in a dark bedroom.

The incidents took place over two nights the Sydney-based friends stayed in Newcastle, with a jury finding two women were raped on the first evening and another on the second.

Andrew David pleaded not guilty to all charges. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Judge O’Rourke denounced the action of the Hawells and David as being in “stark contrast to how their mothers, wife, girlfriends and sisters have described them”.

“They are three highly educated, intelligent, successful, professional young men who come from loving Christian families, who treat their own sisters, mothers and female partners with respect and love,” she said.

“And yet on this weekend, they were capable in a pack mentality of treating three young women in this cold, callous, degrading and criminal way.”

Judge O’Rourke said one of the women, all of whom were teenagers at the time, was treated as “an object … not a young female person who deserved to be treated with dignity”.

The Hawells and David all maintain their innocence and intend to appeal.

The mother of Marius (pictured) and Maurice said they were “upstanding” men. Sketch: NewsWire/Rocco Fazzari

Majdolin Hawell, the mother of Maurice and Marius, wrote in her letter to the court she felt compelled to “speak the truth” about her sons – “extremely responsible young men, known for their good character and upstanding behaviours”.

“While I respect the jury verdict, the process and court time, it is extremely difficult to reconcile the charges with the character of Maurice and Marius,” she wrote.

“They have always had the upmost respect for women, whether it is their past or current relationships, their friends, their colleagues or even to me and their sisters.”

Judge O’Brien imposed minimum sentences of eight-and-a-half years for Maurice and five years and five months for Marius, meaning they will be eligible for parole in January 2033 and December 2029 respectively.