Bilal Skaf

Bilal Skaf
Bilal Skaf's undated photo
Born	(1981-09-14) 14 September 1981 Sydney, New South Wales[1]
Nationality	Australian
Occupation	State Rail employee
Criminal penalty	31 years' imprisonment
Criminal status	Imprisoned
Parent(s)	Mustapha Skaf Baria Skaf
Conviction(s)	Aggravated sexual intercourse without consent

Bilal Skaf (Arabic: بلال سكاف‎‎) (born 14 September 1981) is an Australian serial gang rapist who led groups of Lebanese Australian men who committed gang rape attacks against women in Sydney in 2000.

For his crimes, Skaf is serving a 31-year prison sentence, and will be eligible for parole in 2033. He was originally sentenced to 55 years with a 40-year non-parole period,^[1] but that was modified several times upon appeal.^[2][3]

Early life

Bilal's mother Baria worked as a cleaner and an aged care worker and his father Mustapha worked for State Rail in Sydney, gaining a good reputation among his colleagues.^[4] It was through his father's reputation that Skaf also found work for State Rail despite having left school at age 14 and gaining convictions for shoplifting and theft.^[5]

Bilal attended Homebush Boys High School, where he was described as a loose cannon during his early years.^[6]

Gang rapes

Skaf was engaged at the time of his arrest but although his fiancée stood by him during his trial,^[7] she ended their engagement soon after his conviction. Skaf's response was to sketch cartoons depicting his former fiancée being raped and murdered.^[1] Since he was first charged in November 2000, Skaf has remained unrepentant. During his trial he claimed he was involved only in cases of consensual sex, laughed when his verdict was read and swore at the judge when he received his sentence.

On 16 September 2005, the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal reduced Skaf's 55-year sentence to a maximum of 28 years, with parole available after 22 years.^[8] NSW Attorney-General Bob Debus decided that the government would seek leave for an appeal to the High Court of Australia against the sentence reduction. An earlier appeal had already reduced his sentence to 46 years, after a successful appeal against one of his convictions.^[9]

On 3 February 2006 the High Court refused leave to appeal, arguing that the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal had been left with no choice because of the many errors by the trial judge in sentencing Skaf to 46 years.^[2] That meant Skaf could be freed at the age of 42 in 2023.^[10] A further appeal led to a 31-year sentence being imposed.^[3] Bilal Skaf will now be eligible for release on 11 February 2033.^[11]

Family

He is the brother of Mohammed Skaf, also a gang rape attacker serving 32 years' jail for his part in the attacks.^[12] Bilal and Mohammed are the sons of Mustapha Skaf and Baria Skaf, who immigrated to Australia from Lebanon.^[4]

In 2002, Mustafa Skaf (his father) was accused of offering a bribe to a prison officer.^[1] Mr Skaf allegedly phoned the maximum security facility at 1.30 pm on Wednesday, 22 September 2002, and was put through to a duty officer. He gave his name and telephone number and asked to speak to his son. When the officer told him that outside calls had to be booked in advance and approved for set times, Mr Skaf offered to pay $100 to be put through to his son. The officer dismissed the offer and ended the conversation. He immediately called the number from the calling number display, and Mustafa Skaf answered.^[13]

In September 2002, Bilal's mother, Baria, was caught on video attempting to smuggle a letter (to his then fiancée) out of the prison. She was barred from visiting all NSW jails for a period of two years.^[13]

Prison life

He began his sentence in Sydney's Long Bay Correctional Centre, but was soon moved to maximum security in Goulburn Gaol after prison officers uncovered plans by fellow inmates to inject him with HIV-infected blood.

In March 2003, he was charged with writing a threatening letter to Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham.^[1] The letter had been found in an internal prison mailbox. The letter said: "Don't take this as a threat but if all Muslims aren't released by January 2003 Australia and citizens will be in danger of bombing". White powder had been put into the letter.^[1]

While awaiting a court appearance for the letter incident, in July 2003, drawings of gang rape were discovered in Skaf's prison cell. The drawings depicted violence and rape against his once loyal fiancée, who had ended their relationship in March 2003. After she had cut off ties with Skaf, she was subjected to threatening phone calls and letters. She now says he can "rot in hell".^[14][15]

According to Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham, Skaf has not shown remorse for his crimes. Woodham also says Skaf has warned prison officers to be careful outside of work, as they may be shot.^[14]

In April 2015 it was reported that he had been attacked by three other inmates in jail and had sustained minor head injuries.^[16]

References