Sydney siege: DPP consented to gunman Man Haron Monis remaining on bail, court documents reveal
Sydney siege gunman Man Haron Monis was on bail for serious sex offences when he was slapped with more than 30 similar charges relating to other women, yet the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) consented to him remaining on bail, court documents have revealed.
The summary of reasons for his bail decision has been released to the media and states that bail was continued "by consent" when Monis appeared before the Penrith Local Court on October 10, 2014.
A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Justice and Attorney-General confirmed that when the 50-year-old was charged with the additional sexual assault and indecent assault charges, he was on bail for other sex offences.
"The prosecution asked that existing bail conditions remain," the spokesperson said.
"In particular the condition that he not contact or approach any of the complainants or prosecution witnesses."
When the DPP did not oppose bail, the magistrate allowed it to continue.
On the form, however, a box was ticked acknowledging that Monis was an unacceptable risk of "interfering with witnesses or evidence".
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione today said police "were concerned that this man got bail from the very beginning".
In April 2013, Monis was arrested for being an accessory before and after the murder of his former partner and mother of his two children, Noleen Hayson Pal, who was stabbed to death and set alight at a unit block in western Sydney.
Monis charged with serious sex offences in April
Monis's then partner, Amirah Droudis, was charged with murder but both she and Monis were given bail with strict conditions in December 2013 after a magistrate said the Crown case was weak.
In April 2014, Monis was charged with three serious sexual offences after complaints from a woman who was a client of his spiritual healing business in 2002.
Because he did not apply for bail, he remained in custody.
Six days after New South Wales bail laws were relaxed in May, Monis applied for and was granted bail.
His conditions included having to report to Campsie Police Station every day and not having any contact with witnesses.
It was those conditions that were carried over in the October bail decision.
The October charges stemmed from complaints from other former clients of Monis when he was working as a spiritual healer.
Police say that on two previous occasions they had "bail refused the offender, but it was subsequently granted by the court".
"While police continued to hold the view the offender should not be released on bail, as indicated in the Fact Sheet, the DPP held the contrary view that in light of the court's previous position, bail would not be opposed," a NSW Police spokesperson said.
The NSW DPP said it would not be commenting on the matter.
