A notorious sex offender dubbed the ‘Playboy rapist’ told a court he would kill himself if he was not granted a media gag order, before the judge rejected his request.
Simon Monteiro, also known as Simon Lowe, was sentenced in 2009 to 11 years in prison for the violent rape of a Sydney woman in 2007.
The former model, in his 60s, received the nickname after boasting about his glamorous life and claiming to have had relationships with American pop star Mariah Carey and actress Barbara Hershey.
Following Monteiro’s release from jail, a judge granted authorities a five-year extended supervision order (ESO) to restrict his movements and protect the community.
Monteiro has always maintained his innocence of the rape charge and is now fighting to have the ESO lifted.
Details of the case can now be reported after a judge on Tuesday denied Monteiro’s request to impose a gag order on the proceedings.
Simon Monteiro (pictured leaving the Supreme Court in Sydney on Tuesday) is fighting to have his extended supervision order lifted.
The court heard that Monteiro believes the ESO order should never have been issued in the first place.
Monteiro represented himself during a preliminary hearing of the case before the New South Wales Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The convicted sex offender gave a searing account of the traumatic impact ESO was having on his daily life. The Daily Telegraph reported.
Monteiro told the court that he could not work, earn a living or have intimate relationships properly without being accused of violating the order.
“I mean, your honor, and this is not a threat, I’m not a suicidal person, I’m a very positive person, this order stands and I’m going to take my life,” he said.
Monteiro blamed the media for his situation, stating that the relentless and sensational reports were mostly “lies” and earned him death threats.
He also told the court he received unwanted late-night visitors at his home he shares with his elderly father.
Monteiro also claimed that the media attention had also cost him a $3,000-a-week job after two days of employment.
The former model (pictured), now in his 60s, was sentenced to 11 years in 2009 for the violent rape of a Sydney woman in 2007.
Simón Monteiro (pictured) told the judge he would commit suicide if his extended supervision order was not lifted.
Monteiro asked the court to impose a gag order on the proceedings that would prevent the media from reporting his name in connection with the case.
“My life is in danger and my 90-year-old father’s life is in danger,” Monteiro said.
‘There are people who show up and try to kill me in my house, there are death threats on (my) phone that come from the media (attention).
‘I just don’t want to live like this. It’s not a life, it’s just an existence and I can’t survive.’
Monteiro stated that his case was “not of public interest” and threatened to commit suicide if he continued with the information.
Judge Richard Button rejected Monteiro’s request for a non-publication order, saying there were already numerous reports about his court proceedings that would make an order useless.
The judge also found that Monteiro had not established why the order was “necessary”, which is required by legislation.
The matter was adjourned until June to give Monteiro time to consider an appeal over the non-granting of the non-publication order.
It will also give the former model time to consider whether he wants to file a separate application asking for Judge Button to recuse himself.
If you or someone you know needs help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
Simón Monteiro, disappointed, leaves the court after the judge denied his request.