Linden Duckett on trial for allegedly raping woman at Festival Plaza

A woman allegedly almost had her neck snapped as she fought back during a “brutal and violent” rape by a stranger she met in the Adelaide CBD on a night out, a court has heard.

A woman allegedly almost had her neck snapped as she fought back during a “brutal and violent” rape by a stranger she met in the Adelaide CBD on a night out, a court has heard.

Prosecutor Paul Tate opened the trial before a Supreme Court jury on Tuesday, and outlined the allegations against 31-year-old Linden Mark Anthony Lloyd Duckett.

Mr Duckett, of Hope Valley, has plead not guilty to two counts of rape and one count of attempted murder over an alleged attack in the Festival Plaza, behind a set of stairs on Thursday, June 16, 2022

Mr Tate told the jury they would hear from witnesses that the alleged early morning attack against the alleged victim was “brutal and violent” and that Mr Duckett was a stranger to her.

“It is alleged that the accused raped (the woman) … you will hear that (the woman) managed to break free,” Mr Tate said.

“She ran, but the accused caught her. He caught her and dragged her back … and (raped her) a second time.”

The court heard that the woman “was not complying” during the alleged attack and her attempts to struggle and make noise resulted in Mr Duckett allegedly telling her he would “snap her neck”.

The prosecution case alleges that Mr Duckett choked the woman, hit her repeatedly in the face and grabbed her head before twisting it to the side – which they allege was an attempt to murder her.

“You will hear that she felt like her neck was about to snap,” Mr Tate said.

The court heard Mr Duckett had been in the CBD with another man he was not “overly close” with, and the woman met them on Bank St – just hours before the alleged incident.

The court heard that the trio spent time together, drinking alcohol the men had with them and talking.

The group walked towards the River Torrens and the Festival Plaza, and stopped to continue talking in an area behind the Dunstan Playhouse near a staircase.

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

The three stayed together until the second man left Mr Duckett and the woman alone and “went for a walk” towards Parliament House.

It was alleged that he returned a short time later and he was “obviously shocked and concerned” by the sight of the alleged rape and pushed Mr Duckett off the woman and walked with her back to North Tce.

The court heard the woman went to hospital seeking medical attention 55 hours following the incident.

Counsel for Mr Duckett told the jury that the identity of Mr Duckett was not the issue and they were together that morning.

“The real issue of dispute, what has gone on after (the man) left and until he comes back, what is the extent of any physical assault that Mr Duckett has committed on (the woman),” Defence said.

The trial before a jury continues.