Reasons why rapist Mohammed Skaf denied parole revealed

He has served 20 years of a 23 year sentence for a string of sickening gang rapes that terrorised Sydney. Even in jail, Mohammed Skaf continued to be a menace behind bars. Brenden Hills reveals why the 36-year-old was recently denied parole.

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Gang rapist Mohammed Skaf was caught with a USB drive containing pornography, is “manipulative” and “intimidating”, and has been charged with 16 offences since being jailed.

These are some of the reasons the State Parole Authority has refused to release Skaf, whose non-parole period expired in January last year after serving 20 years of a 23-year sentence.

Experts refused a parole application on August 9 because he denies committing any of the rapes and is still a danger to society.

Skaf, who was only 17 when jailed, had also not completed his “rehabilitation program”.

Mohammed Skaf. was convicted over a series of sickening gang rapes across Sydney.

The Serious Offenders Review Council said until he does “we cannot say he does not present as a risk to the public”.

A report presented at the hearing outlining expert opinions on Skaf dating back to 2017, gives a long list of reasons backing the decision.

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In March, a prison assessment committee said Skaf was “intimidating, manipulative and involved in things” within his prison wing.

But the report also noted Skaf was working on these attributes “and trying to improve his behaviour”.

In 2016, Skaf had his risk classification elevated after prison officers found “contraband in his cell which included USB drives and pornography”, the report said.

He was also caught trying to send mail under a false name.

Mohommed Skaf is led to prison after being found guilty of another rape. Picture: Graham Crouch

Skaf speaking with a young woman on Bondi Beach in October 2000.

He has also been charged with 16 offences committed in jail since 2005, ranging from fighting to knowing of an arrangement where contraband tuna was passed to certain inmates, the report said.

Skaf and other members of the gang led by his older brother Bilal were jailed for a combined 240 years for six pack rapes committed in the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

This was reduced on appeal. Mohammed was involved in two attacks.

Most concerning for parole authorities is that Skaf still denies the rapes occurred. A report from October, 2017, said: “Mr Skaf represents himself as the victim and denies any offence took place.

“He focuses on minimising his responsibility and attempts to give vague answers, preferring to focus on the inaccuracy of the victims’ statements and his perceived injustices.”

Mohammed Skaf’s brother and convicted rapist Bilal speaking with his mother in jail.

The report said Skaf “presented himself as a misunderstood teenager who was in the wrong place on both occasions although at the time he was in the company of numerous associates in similar circumstances which involved the luring of both victims to areas that were isolated”.

While in 2017 the experts found Skaf “continually engaged in manipulative behaviour to benefit himself”, by 2018 Skaf had his classification reduced to a level that allowed him to do the prison courses that would pave the way for his release.

In July, a psychologist said: “He is an active participant in group discussions and is often willing to give an alternative opinion to challenge other group members. He is also consistently involved in community activities and often volunteers to organise events for the (prison) wing.”

Skaf’s full sentence expires in January, 2024, and governments can only apply to keep him behind bars for further periods.

His next parole hearing is scheduled for November.

Originally published as Reasons why rapist Mohammed Skaf denied parole revealed