Garry David Platten named as alleged Parafield Gardens rapist

A man charged with five counts of rape and two of indecent assault has been revealed as a former “hero” St John Ambulance volunteer.

A Parafield Gardens man charged with five counts of rape and two of indecent assault is a “hero” former St John volunteer and training officer.

Garry David Platten, known as David, can be revealed as the 72-year-old alleged to have raped a woman four times while helping her out with her garden.

The Messenger can reveal Mr Platten was a long-time volunteer with the ambulance service from 2010 to 2019.

A 2016 St John annual report also described Mr Platten as a “hero” who worked to save the life of a crash victim by stemming blood flow of the man’s femoral artery at his groin.

Garry David Platten, known as David, has been named as the man charged with rape and indecent assault. Picture: Facebook

Garry David Platten, 72, was a St John Ambulance SA volunteer. Picture: Facebook

All allegations, police say, happened between January and July this year at Salisbury North when Mr Platten was helping a woman known to him with gardening.

He was arrested on July 1 and first faced court three days later.

A week later he was granted home detention bail to his Parafield Gardens home.

SA Police continue to investigate the allegations against Mr Platten.

“Investigators would like to speak to anyone who has been a victim of similar offending and urge them to contact police,” a spokesperson said.

A St John Ambulance South Australia spokesperson confirmed Mr Platten was no longer a registered volunteer with the organisation.

Mr Platten is due to again appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in October.