A gang rapist who escaped from hospital while under immigration guard has been apprehended after five days on the run and has subsequently been denied bail. Michael Angok, 30, was taken into custody at Blacktown Local Court on Monday by Judge Rachael Wong, who formally refused his bail request. Angok’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 5.
Angok, convicted for his role in the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in Sydney back in 2014, had been an immigration detainee when he made his escape from Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on Wednesday, which ignited a police search. Authorities finally located him in Seven Hills, where he was arrested after officers discovered his shoes during a house search.
Although Angok had already served his sentence for the sexual assault, he was in custody pending immigration proceedings. His escape occurred while he was being taken from Villawood Immigration Detention Centre for medical treatment.
The Australian Border Force has refrained from commenting on the specifics of the incident due to its ongoing court proceedings but emphasised that community safety is their top priority. Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has not provided any feedback regarding the incident. Opposition spokesman Jonno Duniam highlighted the recent surge in escape incidents from federal immigration facilities under the current Labour government, suggesting that security has notably declined during their tenure.
Duniam pointed to the doubling of escape incidents in the past two years, indicating a concerning lack of effective management in the immigration system. This incident has sparked discussions on the risks posed by immigration detainees, echoing controversies related to the so-called NZYQ cohort—non-citizens previously detained indefinitely based on perceived community risks, who were released following a 2023 High Court ruling regarding the legality of their detention.
The case has garnered considerable media attention, especially following concerns raised by the coalition over potential reoffending by released individuals, as critics hold the government responsible for not ensuring their continued detention post-ruling.
The community and authorities remain vigilant following Angok’s apprehension, with discussions surrounding immigration policies and detainee management expected to continue as the case unfolds.