Men accused of raping teens during bucks party weekend have convictions quashed

WARNING: Distressing content.

A group of men accused of gang raping three teenagers during a bucks party weekend have had their convictions quashed, while one of the men was acquitted of the alleged crimes.

Maurice Hawell, 31, Andrew David, 31, and Marius Hawell, 24, allegedly gang raped two 18-year-old friends on the first night of Maurice’s bucks party weekend at an Airbnb in Newcastle in February 2022.

The following night, police allege they raped a 19-year-old girl.

The men were found guilty last July of engaging in a joint criminal enterprise (JCE) to sexually assault the teens following a trial in the NSW District Court.

All three men were jailed and have maintained their innocence.

The three men had their convictions quashed on Monday morning, with the court ordering a retrial for Maurice and David.

Marius was further acquitted of the convictions, and is now eligible for immediate release.

The major decision came after the trio launched a fight in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal earlier this year.

The court was previously told Marius argued he didn’t participate in the first alleged rape and wasn’t even in the room at the time.

His lawyer also maintained Marius had not engaged in sexual activity with the 19-year-old during the second alleged rape.

More details of Monday’s decision are expected to be revealed later.

Maurice Hawell was sentenced to a maximum term of 14 years, with an eight-year and six-month non-parole period.

Marius Hawell was given a nine-year sentence, with a non-parole period of five years and five months.

David was sentenced to 13 years in jail with a non-parole period of seven years and nine months.

More to come …

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Sexual Counselling Australia 1800 211 028

Lifeline 13 11 14