The serial rapist behind luxury ‘party house’

A MAN once dubbed Tasmania’s worst serial sex offender owns the rambunctious party house in Sandy Bay that has left neighbours praying for peace and quiet.

Shane Farmer was convicted in 2004 after he pleaded guilty to six counts of rape and eight other offences including abduction, aggravated sexual assault and administering a drug with intent to commit a crime.

The offences were committed between 1990 and 2001 against seven female victims aged between 16 and 21.

The victims had either been staff or patrons at his nightclubs in Hobart and Launceston. He served 6½ years behind bars before being released on parole.

More than a decade later in 2015, Farmer was once again before the courts and was fined $1200 after he pleaded guilty to possessing, using and selling cocaine.

His name came up once again during a Hobart City Council planning authority meeting on Monday as the committee discussed his application for a short-stay accommodation permit.

Neighbours of the luxe waterfront property told the committee they dealt with loud noise from parties and witnessed incidents of drunken behaviour, nudity and sex.

The property had already been operating as short-stay accommodation via Airbnb, but the listing disappeared on Wednesday, following inquiries from the Mercury.

An Airbnb spokesman conSERVICE firmed the listing was suspended and an investigation was under way.

“People who have been convicted of certain offences, including sexual assault offences, are ineligible from holding an Airbnb account, as are individuals affiliated with organised crime and extremist groups,” the spokesman said.

“We work collaboratively with police and government and remain focused on continually improving our systems and exploring new ways to keep people safe.”

He said safety incidents were rare on Airbnb but the company hoped to make them rarer.

“The safety of our community is one of our top priorities and, as part of this, we enforce strict policies and community standards,” he said.

“We encourage anyone who has a concern about potential, or existing, hosts or guests on Airbnb to raise it with our diligent safety team who can investigate further.”

On Tuesday, Attorney-General Elise Archer said it was up to local governments to decide whether to restrict listings.

“I think with individual cases like this, we need to really ensure that we don’t discriminate in circumstances where someone may have served their sentence,” Ms Archer said.

“We have a free market, it’s one element of our democracy.

“I don’t wish to make a comment on someone’s character.”

On Monday, Farmer’s property manager addressed the planning authority meeting via Zoom and clarified he was not in breach of council rules by operating without a permit because he lived in the house and only rented it out when he was away, meaning he qualified for a house sharing exemption.

It is understood Farmer needs a permit to continue operating the Airbnb because he plans to move to Sydney.

There is no suggestion he was involved in the parties in any way.

Farmer and his property manager declined to comment.