Convicted Gang Rapist Remains At Large After Hospital Escape To Avoid Deportation
A convicted gang rapist remains on the run for two days after escaping from a busy Sydney hospital to avoid being deported from Australia, with disturbing details of his crimes now emerging publicly. Michael Angok, aged thirty, fled on foot from Bankstown Hospital on Wednesday morning after being transported there from the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre under police guard.
Details of the Daring Escape and Immediate Police Response
Angok had presented to the emergency department while under police supervision and was waiting to return to the detention centre when he executed his daring escape shortly after 9:30 AM. Some of his discarded personal possessions were located several hundred metres away from the hospital premises. Authorities immediately launched a massive manhunt involving PolAir helicopters and the police dog unit to track down the fugitive.
New South Wales Detective Superintendent Brett Van Akker addressed reporters on Thursday, explaining why police waited twenty-four hours before alerting the public about the escape. "We had to exhaust other opportunities yesterday to get that person into custody," Superintendent Van Akker stated. "And we also don't want to alert the community to any real concern if we are able to bring that person into custody straight away."
Horrific Details of the 2014 Gang Rape Conviction
Angok had been awaiting deportation after being convicted for his involvement in the gang rape of a fourteen-year-old girl at a western Sydney park in February 2014. The victim was walking home alone through Doonside's Bill Colbourne Reserve when she was sexually assaulted by four males of African appearance.
According to police statements from the time, one of the men initially assaulted the teenager before pinning her to the footpath to allow the others to assault her over a thirty-minute period. The court heard that during the rape, there was discussion among the four male offenders about "taking turns."
Angok, who was eighteen years old at the time of the attack, was identified as the second man to have sexual intercourse with the victim. This occurred while another offender simultaneously assaulted her. The court also heard testimony that during the incident, the victim heard one of the men say "give me a piece of that."
Legal Proceedings and Deportation Status
In February 2016, Angok was convicted of four counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with a person over fourteen years and under sixteen years. He received an aggregate prison sentence of forty-five months, with a two-year non-parole period. Following his release the subsequent year, Angok had been detained at Villawood Immigration Detention Centre after his visa was revoked while he was incarcerated.
In early 2019, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal upheld the decision to cancel Angok's visa. The judgement stated, "Given the nature of the applicant's sexual offending against a minor in company of others... even taking into account the applicant's traumatic childhood and psychological problems, given the nature of his offences, the risk of re-offending and the serious consequences that repeat offending would have on the public, these factors, in the Tribunal's view, weigh strongly against the applicant and revocation of the cancellation decision."
Background Information and Community Impact
The tribunal judgement revealed that Angok arrived in Australia with his family on refugee visas in 2005 after leaving South Sudan when he was nine years old. He has not departed Australia since his arrival. The document also detailed how Angok's police record as a minor involved multiple incidents of violence, drug use, and failure to comply with police instructions.
The original 2014 attack sparked significant community concern about potential reprisals, prompting African and Pacific Islander community leaders to call for calm. In response, police participated in a unity walk through Blacktown, and the local council conducted safety audits of its public parks.
Current Manhunt and Public Warning
The Australian Federal Police have applied for and been granted an arrest warrant for Angok. A joint operation to locate the fugitive continues under Strike Force Tolquin. This escape represents the latest in a series of incidents at Villawood Detention Centre, which is operated by private prison contractor MTC.
Angok is described as being of African appearance, approximately 175 to 180 centimetres tall, with a thin build and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, grey tracksuit pants, and white 'croc' style sandals. Authorities believe he previously lived in the Blacktown area and may be using the public transport network to move around.
Police have issued a strong warning to the public: anyone who sees Michael Angok should not approach him under any circumstances and should contact police immediately.
