Skaf gang rape convictions overturned - 6th May 2004
(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)

Bilal and Mohammed Skaf have had their convictions for the gang rape of a teenager in south-western Sydney in August 2000 overturned and a retrial ordered.

The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal overturned the convictions of Bilal Skaf and his brother Mohammed over the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl in Gosling Park at Greenacre on August 12, 2000.

President Keith Mason and Justices Brian Sully and James Wood ordered a retrial for both brothers.

The retrials were ordered because two jurors conducted their own experiments at the park where the alleged rape occurred after deliberations had begun.

"In our view there must, regrettably, be a new trial because of this ground," the judges said.

Bilal Skaf was found guilty of gang raping the girl while Mohammed Skaf, who had known the girl for six months, had lured her to the park.

Mohammed Skaf was sentenced to a maximum of 32 years.

Mohammed Skaf had three other grounds for appeal on his conviction upheld.

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