REVEALED: The incredible tricks 'entitled' paedophile Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes used to disguise himself during his last months in prison after inmates first threw faeces-filled milk cartons at him

• e-mail

Disgraced Hey Dad! actor and convicted child sex offender Robert Hughes' hid underneath a headscarf and a pair of sunglasses every time he would leave his cell.

Hughes donned the 'disguise' after he'd received an horrific welcome to Goulburn Jail in 2014 when inmates launched milk cartons full of human waste towards him, covering him from head to toe.

The incident reportedly left the actor in tears, The Daily Telegraph reported. 

The 73-year-old was released from Long Bay Correctional Facility on Tuesday and deported to the UK to live with his wife, agent Robyn Gardiner, after being granted parole by the NSW State Parole Authority.

Disgraced Hey Dad! actor and convicted child sex offender Robert Hughes (pictured), 73, was released from Long Bay Correctional Facility on Tuesday and deported to the UK to live with his wife, actor agent Robyn Gardiner, after being granted parole by the NSW State Parole Authority 

Robert Hughes (pictured) spent more than six years in prison for the vile sexual abuse of four young girls spanning 20 years  

As a result of the faeces experience inside Goulburn Jail in 2014, a wire screen dubbed 'the Hey Dad! wall' was put up to shield the actor from further projectiles.

He was later moved to Metropolitan Special Programs Centre at Long Bay.

It's reported that in his final months Hughes 'kept to himself' and 'didn't really associate with anyone'.

He was released from his cell at 7am each day and would spend his time working or in the yard, walking around alone.

A jail source said that Hughes 'would wrap his head in a scarf, put on a pair of sunnies and then put on a hat'.

'He looked to be concealing his identity....He didn't want anyone knowing who he was.'

Hughes was paid weekly for his work at a recycling job inside the jail. 

This allowed him to purchase items from the 'buy-ups scheme, including savory sweets, noodles, tinned food or newspapers. 

Sources inside the jail stated that while Hughes had an 'air of entitlement' about him, he was well-behaved.

Robert Hughes (bottom left) was jailed in 2014 on 10 charges relating to sexual and indecent acts perpetrated on four young girls, including his on-screen daughter Sarah Monahan (bottom centre), in the 1980s and 1990s

Ms Gardiner told the parole authority she will keep him away from children when unsupervised. 

He and his wife gave undertakings that once back in the community he will seek treatment with Rachel Pike, a clinical psychologist specialising in convicted sex offenders who deny their crimes.

This would assist with his reintegration and reduce his risk of re-offending.

Hughes renounced his Australian citizenship in 2020, becoming a non-lawful citizen requiring deportation upon release. 

During his parole hearing the SPA said it had been satisfied that after eight years behind bars Hughes' release was in the interests of the safety of the community.

Hughes, who starred as Martin Kelly in the TV comedy from 1987 to 1994, was previously rejected twice by the SPA.

Hughes was jailed in 2014 for 10 years and nine months with a non-parole period of six years, which expired in April 2020. 

A jury found him guilty of 10 charges relating to sexual and indecent acts perpetrated on four young girls in the 1980s and 1990s.

The SPA accepted expert evidence that Hughes (pictured, top left) was consistently assessed as a below-average risk of sexually reoffending

Hughes continues to deny his crimes despite 'overwhelming evidence'.

Victims including his former on-screen daughter Sarah Monahan, attended his third parole hearing.

'He's an old man and he's frail, but they don't change, and he's a denier,' Ms Monahan said.

'He still thinks he hasn't done anything.'

The SPA acknowledged the 'profound and deleterious effects on the victims... continue to this day and will probably be lifelong consequences'.

'It must be particularly galling for the victims to observe the offender's continued and obstinate denials in the face of compelling and overwhelming evidence from multiple witnesses,' it said.

The SPA accepted expert evidence that Hughes was consistently assessed as a below-average risk of sexually reoffending.

This prevented his accessing any sex-offender treatment programs while in custody.

Robert Hughes was moved to Metropolitan Special Programs Centre at Long Bay (pictured)

Judge Peter Zahra said that Hughes (pictured) 'abused his position of trust and exploited the naivety and youth of the children'

Prior to his release, a psychologist prepared an unflattering ­report for the State Parole Authority.

It referred to Hughes 'as a categorical denier who lacks victim empathy'.

Hughes made his third attempt at parole following two failed attempts. His minimum sentence of six years made him eligible for parole on April 6, 2020.

Judge Peter Zahra, who died suddenly last month, handed down the sentence with strong condemnation against Hughes.

'He engaged in brazen predatory behaviour; he planned and orchestrated the occasions when the conduct occurred. His conduct was persistent and calculated,' he said.

'He abused his position of trust and exploited the naivety and youth of the children.

'The profound and deleterious effects on the victims for many years, if not the whole of their lives. The victims here remain deeply disturbed by the conduct of the offender.' 

Australian Border Force advised it will notify British authorities of Hughes' imminent return.

'The profound and deleterious effects on the victims for many years, if not the whole of their lives. The victims here remain deeply disturbed by the conduct of the offender,' Judge Peter Zahra added

Hughes will be monitored in the UK under the Sexual Offences Act 'notifications requirements'.

He must report to police within three days of his return to the UK, and once a year from then on and within three days of changing his details. 

He will be required to provide passport and banking details and must notify police of any intention to travel out of the UK. 

Hughes must also provide details of where he lives and where he regularly stays if different to his home address. 

'There is a requirement to notify police if he going to stay (for a period of at least 12 hours) at a household where a child is present,' the parole authority noted.

He will be sent back to jail for up to six months if he fails to fulfil these conditions. 

If you or anyone you know needs help you can call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14