Festival Plaza rapist Linden Mark Anthony Lloyd Duckett to spend at least four years in jail

A violent rapist mouthed “wow” to his supporters as he was led away to begin a jail sentence for a horrific CBD attack on a woman he promised would be safe.

A violent rapist mouthed “wow” to his supporters and shook his head as he was jailed for a late-night violent attack on a defenceless woman in a secluded part of the Festival Plaza.

On Friday, Linden Mark Anthony Lloyd Duckett, 33, appeared before Justice Laura Stein to be sentenced for raping a woman he told would be “safe” with him and a former friend.

“She met you and (your friend) in the vicinity of the Adelaide Railway station after missing her train and discovering the train station did not open again until early the next morning,” Justice Stein said.

“The victim gave evidence that she asked you and (your friend) if she was going to be safe, you both said she would be.”

The steps and ramp between the Dunstan Playhouse and Space theatre from the Northern Promenade, near where the attack allegedly took place. Picture: Google Maps

The Hope Valley man was found guilty by a Supreme Court jury by majority of one count of rape after six hours of deliberation.

He was acquitted of a second count of rape, and a charge of attempted murder.

As Duckett was brought out of the court back to the cells after being sentenced on Friday, he mouthed “wow” to supporters in the body of the courtroom, and shook his head.

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, dragged her behind a nearby set of stairs and raped her – for which he was found guilty.

The court heard she begged him to stop, and he used a “not insignificant” amount of force in attempts to keep her quiet, and her head hit the concrete floor as she struggled.

During sentencing submissions, the victim told the court in her impact statement that “she felt dirty, disgusting, horrible, embarrassed, angry” – and had attempted to take her own life.

“It is clear the victim continues to experience suffering,” Justice Stein said.

The court heard Duckett had experienced an “extremely disadvantaged, dysfunctional and difficult” childhood, and was struggling with substance abuse.

A psychology report told the court his current likelihood of reoffending were “high”, and he maintained his innocence.

Her Honour said this offending, alongside a 2023 conviction for assault occasioning bodily harm, showed an escalating pattern of violence in Duckett’s behaviour.

Justice Stein sentenced Duckett to six years, 10 months and two days, with four years, 10 months and two days non-parole.

The sentence was backdated to his arrest on April 19, 2023.

Originally published as Festival Plaza rapist Linden Mark Anthony Lloyd Duckett to spend at least four years in jail