Not just a Scarlet Letter - Makenzye Prince

The gunman who held hostages there for more than 16 hours was no stranger to police.

The hostage-taker was Man Haron Monis, an official with direct knowledge of the situation said Monday. "He had a long history of violent crime, infatuation with extremism and mental instability," Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters.

Australian media reports paint a harrowing picture of Monis and his lengthy criminal history.

The self-styled Muslim cleric, also known as Sheikh Haron, pleaded guilty last year to writing offensive letters to the families of Australian troops.

That same year, he was charged with being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife, the Australian news reports said.

i think this man may need mental help, also if the police think the same as me then personally i think they should've put him in solitary confinement. not just jail so that could give him the opportunity to insult the police department.