Linear Park rapist Aiden Harvey Driver’s release delayed
Linear Park rapist Aiden Harvey Driver’s release has been postponed – but only until expert evidence can be heard about his willingness to control his predatory instincts.
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Linear Park rapist Aiden Harvey Driver’s release has been postponed, while experts further assess his willingness to control his predatory instincts.
Driver was due to be released on Monday, July 6, at the end of the non-parole period imposed for sex and home invasion offences.
On Wednesday, however, his counsel consented to the Supreme Court imposing an “interim” detention order over their client.
They maintain he is ready to be released back into the community, but told the court they need further time to consider his “complicated” psychological diagnosis.
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 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”.
Driver’s 5 ½-year non-parole period expires on Monday.
Attorney-General Vickie Chapman has asked the Supreme Court to declare Driver a high-risk offender, meaning his prison term would continue indefinitely.
On Wednesday, Garen Truscott, for Driver, said his client had been assessed by top psychologist Richard Balfour.
“We actually have his report, and it is a complicated diagnosis,” he said.
“I need time to seek the opinion of senior counsel and to get instructions from my client about releasing the report to the Attorney.”
Driver was remanded in custody to face court again in two weeks.