Airbnb bucks night gang rapists are jailed for up to 14 years after Newcastle attacks
Gang Rape at Airbnb Property: Three Men Jailed for ‘Degrading and Heinous’ Crime
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Three men, Maurice Hawell, Andrew David, and Marius Hawell, have been sentenced to prison for the gang rape of three teenage girls at an Airbnb property in Newcastle, Australia, during a bucks party weekend.
The Horrific Crime
The crimes, committed in February 2022, involved a joint criminal enterprise to sexually assault the three young women, who were aged 18 and 19 at the time. The women were gang-raped over two nights, with some of the perpetrators boasting about their actions and ridiculing others for not participating.
Sentencing
The men were sentenced on Friday, with Maurice Hawell receiving 14 years, with a minimum of 8 years and 6 months. Andrew David was given 13 years, with a non-parole term of 7 years and 9 months. Marius Hawell will serve at least 5 years and 5 months of a 9-year maximum sentence.
Victim Impact Statements
Two of the teenage victims, who wished to remain anonymous, provided victim impact statements, describing the lasting consequences of the attacks. One of the women said she was left feeling vulnerable, terrified to face the world, and struggled to find her happiness again. She also suffered from panic attacks and was unable to leave her home alone.
The Investigation
The investigation was complex, with the police interviewing over 100 witnesses and reviewing thousands of hours of CCTV footage. The court heard that the men used a fake name to convince the women to come up to the Airbnb, and then pushed them onto a bed and asked them to engage in sexual activities.
The Verdict
The men were found guilty of engaging in a joint criminal enterprise to sexually assault the women. The prosecution argued that the men used a pack mentality to commit the crimes, and that their actions were premeditated and planned.
Conclusion
The gang rape at the Airbnb property in Newcastle is a shocking example of the devastating consequences of such crimes. The three men involved will now serve their sentences, and we hope that their convictions bring some sense of justice to the victims.