Linear Park rapist Aiden Harvey Driver ‘still likes concept of rape’, lawyers say, and urge court to detain him indefinitely
One of SA’s most infamous sex predators is about to walk free – but experts say he’s confessed he still likes rape, thinks it’s good and must stay behind bars.
True Crime
Don't miss out on the headlines from True Crime. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The notorious Linear Park rapist, who destroyed the lives of three women, made a “startling” admission to doctors that he still “likes the concept of rape a little” despite intensive therapy, a court has heard.
Aiden Harvey Driver has served his sentence for his sexual crime spree and now wants to be released so he can move to the NT.
On Tuesday, State Government lawyers urged the Supreme Court to intervene and detain Driver indefinitely, saying he remains an uncontrollable sex predator.
Karim Soetratma, for the government, said doctors feared Driver could not be stopped by home detention or electronic monitoring, nor deterred by the risk of arrest.
“It is positively alarming and concerning that he made the startling statement that he ‘liked the idea of rape’ and, when asked how much, said he liked the idea ‘a little’,” he said.
“That he likes the concept of rape at all, after the years he has spent in custody and the level of treatment he has had, is concerning.
“Driver presents a 24-hour risk to women whichever state or territory they be in … he has no understanding that rape is bad for anyone other than himself.
“It would be unconscionable for this court, knowing what it does about the risk this man poses to women, to simply say ‘go free past the borders of SA, unrestrained and unsupervised, for it’s not our problem anymore’.
Driver, 29, has been in jail since pleading guilty to charges of aggravated serious criminal trespass, indecent assault, assault causing harm and three counts of rape.
In May 2009, he broke into a woman’s West Hindmarsh home, placed his forearm over her throat to restrict her breathing and raped her three times before fleeing.
In July 2009, he indecently assaulted a woman as she walked her dogs at Linear Park, Felixstow, and did the same to a second woman who was jogging at Vale Park.
Despite two experts warning Driver was unwilling to control his sexual instincts, the Supreme Court declined to detain him indefinitely.
Instead, it blamed his offending on a difficult childhood, which left him “shy”.
On Tuesday, the court heard details from two expert reports regarding Driver’s mental state.
Their authors said Driver still blamed his shyness for his inability to have consensual relationships, adding that rape made him feel “good, but a bit shaky”.
They also reported Driver saying he had “less interest” in raping Indigenous women because he was fearful of “being speared” in a traditional punishment.
Mr Soetratma conceded Driver had permanent disabilities and learning difficulties – but said that unfortunately added to his risk of reoffending.
“It’s simply a cold, hard assessment of the risk he poses in light of the factors he possesses,” he said.
“Perhaps he might move to a community where there are less white women then Aboriginal women and his fears of being speared may prevail.
“But there’s nothing that can be taken for granted in respect of his capacity to understand any rules imposed upon him.”
The hearing, before Justice Mark Livesey, continues.
