Notorious ‘playboy rapist’ Simon Monteiro will no longer have to wear an ankle bracelet, judge rules

Convicted rapist and former actor Simon Monteiro – dubbed the ‘playboy rapist’ – will no longer be required to wear an ankle bracelet in public.

Monteiro served 11 years in prison before being released on parole in April 2020 after raping his ex-girlfriend in a Sydney apartment.

He entered her home uninvited, hit her and threatened to choke her before the assault.

After she went to the police, he cut up her furniture, soaked her books in water and killed her fish.

The 58-year-old, who maintains his innocence, was given an extended supervision order in July 2020, imposing 26 conditions on his life in the community.

On Friday, some of these restrictions were withdrawn or amended following an urgent hearing in the NSW Supreme Court.

Judge Peter Garling found Monteiro posed a reduced risk to the community compared to 2020, when the supervision order was imposed.

Evidence given to the court by a number of women showed that after years spent in the community, there had been no recurrence of the sexual offense to land the 58-year-old behind bars in the first place.

A requirement that Monteiro be electronically monitored at all times via an ankle monitor was no longer necessary, Judge Garling said.

“(Monteiro’s) conduct since the (order) was imposed is such that any deterrent effect has disappeared,” the judge said.

The ankle bracelet had made it difficult for the 58-year-old to find work, which was essential for his rehabilitation and integration into the community, Judge Garling added.

The judge revoked a further condition that Monteiro must obtain permission from Community Corrections before spending the night anywhere other than his home.

However, he refused to impose a condition requiring the convicted rapist to inform his supervisor of anyone with whom he had intimate or sexual relations.

This was because there was still some risk to the community, the judge ruled.

Instead, Judge Garling doubled the amount of time required for this condition, giving Monteiro 48 hours to notify his recent sexual partners.

A condition that forced the 58-year-old to provide information about a new job, volunteer work or study to his manager before starting was revoked.

Monteiro was dissatisfied with the results and said he would ask Judge Garling not to hear the case any further

“In practice, this condition, at least from Monteiro’s perspective, has formed a barrier to pursuing a job or training,” the judge said.

A range of conditions regarding the rapist’s use of the internet, dating apps, social media platforms, mobile phones and other communication devices will vary.

Judge Garling refused to lift the final condition that Monteiro must obtain permission from Community Corrections before he can legally change his name.

Monteiro was dissatisfied with the results and said he would ask Judge Garling not to hear the case any further.

“This is simply pointless today,” he said after the decision was handed down.

A hearing is scheduled for May to determine whether the supervision order should be modified or revoked in its entirety.

Monteiro’s case has been in the news for many years, not only due to his previously glamorous lifestyle and alleged ties to Hollywood stars, but also because of his complaints about prison conditions, including the demand for a cell on the coast, a toothbrush with soft bristles and an orthopedic mattress.

In October 2017, Monteiro told the New South Wales State Parole Board that it was “in the public interest” that he be released from prison, despite the creation of a Change.org petition with more than 46,000 signatures urging on his release.