Wednesday 17 December 2008

Sentences reduced for Sydney gang rapists

The New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal has upheld the convictions of gang rapists Bilal and Mohammed Skaf, at the same time reducing their jail sentences.

A three-judge panel of the court upheld the convictions in relation to the rape of a teenager at Greenacre in 2000.

The 16-year-old was raped at gunpoint with 14 men present.

Lawyers for Bilal Skaf have had his minimum 18-year jail sentence for that crime reduced by two years and Mohammed Skaf's minimum 15-year sentence reduced by 18 months.

In reducing the sentences, the court referred to the strict conditions of the brothers' custody limiting their access to work, education and religious observations.

Lawyers for the brothers argued there was excessive publicity surrounding the case.

Bilal Skaf was serving a sentence of 38 years after being convicted of other rapes and Mohammed Skaf was serving 26 years.

Bilal Skaf has been tried three times and Mohammed Skaf twice.

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