<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The man behind one of the most horrific crimes in modern Australian history is set to face a closed-door parole hearing today, sparking renewed terror for his victim, Lauren Huxley, and her family.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The NSW State Parole Authority will meet today to consider the conditional release of inmate Robert Black Farmer.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In 2005, Farmer brutally attacked then-18-year-old Lauren inside her Northmead home, in Sydney's west, leaving her for dead before setting the house on fire. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/when-you-are-young-you-do-so-many-mistakes-father-of-isis-bride-says-she-made-a-mistake-as-second-cohort-touched-down-last-night/ef2e7855-ec92-493a-80d6-3e72f0568000" rel="" target="" title="Father of 'ISIS bride' breaks his silence"><strong><span>Father of 'ISIS bride' breaks his silence</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Now, more than 20 years later, the prospective freedom of the man who nearly ended her life is forcing the Huxley family to relive their worst nightmare.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Speaking to A Current Affair earlier this month, Lauren expressed her fear over the prospect of her attacker walking free. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It scares me for sure," Ms Huxley told A Current Affair. </span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/lauren-huxleys-attacker-is-up-for-parole-today/53422ab4-3af8-4503-8f7c-2863c7b3bf40" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Not just for myself, my family and friends, but also the general public. Because you don't know ... what is he capable of doing next?"</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>A Day of pure horror</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The attack on November 9, 2005, shocked the nation. Lauren, an 18-year-old TAFE marketing student, had just caught the bus home to Northmead. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She had just walked into the house when Farmer, a then 39-year-old stranger, ambushed her.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Farmer chased the teenager through the house and into the yard before cornering her in the garage. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There, he brutally bashed her with heavy fibro-cutters. He then bound her with electrical cords, doused her in petrol, and lit a fire in the kitchen, leaving her to burn alive.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As the flames took hold, Lauren's parents, Patrick and Christine, and her sister, Simone, received frantic calls from neighbours telling them their house was on fire. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They rushed home only to discover a reality far worse than property damage: Lauren had been discovered barely alive and rushed to hospital.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Doctors gave Lauren a mere five per cent chance of survival. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She suffered catastrophic, severe brain injuries. Against all odds, and through years of gruelling rehabilitation, Lauren survived to rebuild her life, though she has never fully recovered.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Farmer was convicted by a jury in 2008 of serious offences, including wounding with intent to murder, and was sentenced to 24.5 years in prison.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What is happening today</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The NSW State Parole Authority is considering Farmer's case today in a closed meeting. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Neither the media, the inmate, nor legal representatives are permitted to attend this initial stage for serious offenders.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If parole is refused today, the matter essentially ends and Farmer will not be reconsidered for release until his anniversary date next year. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, if the authority decides it intends to grant parole, the matter will be stood over, usually for two weeks, for a public review hearing for further submissions. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That subsequent hearing would be open to both the public and the media.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Today's decision is likely to known before 1.00pm today. After which, Lauren's sister, Simone, alongside her parents, Chris and Pat, intend to make a statement to the media.</span></div></div>