Garry David Platten, accused of raping gardening client, dies

A man alleged to have raped a woman several times over a six-month period while he helped with her garden has died.

Several sexual assault offences, including charges of rape, levelled at a 72-year-old Parafield Gardens man have been officially withdrawn in court after his death.

Gary David Platten was arrested on July 1 and charged with five counts of rape and two of indecent assault, which police alleged had been perpetrated against a woman known to him.

They said Mr Platten had allegedly sexually assaulted the woman while helping her in her Salisbury North garden.

Mr Platten was due to return to court in October after being released on home detention bail after his second court appearance later in July.

A police prosecutor on Thursday told the Adelaide Magistrates Court the charges had to be withdrawn given Mr Platten’s death.

Garry David Platten, known as David, died while facing with rape and indecent assault charges. Picture: Facebook

Garry David Platten was a St John Ambulance SA volunteer. Picture: Facebook

“The defendant passed away (and so) we will be withdrawing the charges,” they said.

The cause of his death is understood to not be suspicious.

Magistrate Michelle Sutcliffe agreed the charges would be withdrawn.

Mr Platten was a St John Ambulance volunteer for nine years until 2019 and worked with an aged care provider.

A St John catalogue described Mr Platten as a “hero” who worked to save the life of a crash victim by stemming blood flow from the man’s femoral artery at his groin.

Police distributed correspondence saying their investigations into Mr Platten were continuing.

“Investigators would like to speak to anyone who has been (an alleged) victim of similar offending and urge them to contact police,” they said.