Festival Plaza rapist Linden Mark Anthony Lloyd Duckett hears affect his ‘violent’ attack had on his victim

A violent rapist who attacked a girl behind a set of stairs at Festival Plaza was a “professional” who knew what he was doing, his victim has told a court.

A rapist who attacked a woman in Adelaide’s CBD during a night out on the town was a “professional” who “knew how to get the girls”, a court has heard.

Linden Mark Anthony Lloyd Duckett, 31, was found guilty by a jury of raping the woman at Festival Plaza in 2022, but acquitted of attempted murder during the terrifying attack.

On Monday, the Supreme Court heard the attack occurred during an escalating trend in violence by the Hope Valley man.

His victim told the court that when the attack happened, she felt she “should have been more careful”.

“I was so scared … I should have realised, before this happened I had a life, I was happy in my heart and my soul were very happy and good,” prosecutors read from her victim impact statement.

The court heard the victim had been previously sexually assaulted twice in her life.

“I promised myself it would never happen again, but it did, I feel like I failed being a victim again – I ask myself, is it because of me? Am I a target?” her statement read.

“He knew how to get the girls, it felt like he was a professional … he cut my life up, I still cry every day and every night.”

The jury found Duckett guilty by majority of one count of rape after six hours of deliberation.

The steps and ramp between the Dunstan Playhouse and Space theatre, where the “violent” attack took place. Picture: Google Maps

The prosecution case alleged that on Thursday, June 16, 2022, Duckett, met his victim during a night in town drinking with a friend.

It was alleged the trio walked to the Festival Plaza together, towards the River Torrens and spent time talking and drinking before the second man left to take a short walk.

It was alleged Duckett and the victim started kissing, and when Duckett was refused sex he got aggressive, pushed her behind a nearby set of stairs and raped her – for which he was found guilty.

Duckett was unanimously acquitted of further allegations that after the complainant escaped the initial “brutal” attack, he caught her, raped her again and attempted to snap her neck.

Prosecutor Paul Tate submitted to Her Honour the “violent” attempts to attempt to keep the victim quiet and the rape were part of an escalating pattern of behaviour.

The court heard Duckett has prior convictions for domestic violence offending and was sentenced for a “serious” assault in August 2023.

Noah Redmond, for Duckett, said his client maintained his innocence, but there was never a suggestion no assault took place.

Justice Stein remanded Duckett in custody until his sentencing in September.