Darwin farewells Linford Feick, beloved shopkeeper allegedly murdered by teen on bail

Hundreds gathered to farewell Darwin shopkeeper Linford Feick, whose death sparked urgent reform of the NT’s bail laws.

Linford Feick was farewelled on Wednesday. Picture: ABC POOL

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An elderly shopkeeper allegedly killed by a teenager who was on bail for rape and aggravated assault charges in Darwin has been described at an emotional funeral on Wednesday as the “most valued shop proprietor and a great friend”.

So popular and loved by the community was Linford Feick that mourners flowed outside and had to watch the grandfather’s ­funeral from outside the chapel .

For much of his life in the Northern Territory, to which he moved from his birthplace in Ontario, Feick served his community at the Nightcliff store in Darwin’s northern suburbs, which he owned and operated.

In attendance was NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, who in the days after his death reconvened parliament to pass the strongest bail laws in the country.

Hundreds attended the funeral service for Nightcliff Friendly Grocer owner Linford Feick on Wednesday at Resthaven Chapel. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“As a tribute to him and the person that he was, we are not going to hold a sad service, this is most definitely a celebration ... and we will honour his memory by laughing, having fun and remembering the happy and joyous times,” mourners were told. “If you’re thinking of Linford today, try to keep a smile on your face.”

There was laughter and tears in the crowd as mourners spoke about the family he created with his beloved wife Margaret, and his corner store.

The NT News reported Feick was remembered by mourners as a man of many layers – shy and yet able to talk for hours straight; stoic yet loving; peaceful yet eager to blast his music so loudly that his kids threatened to call in a noise complaint.

Minister Jinson Charls and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro attended the funeral service for Linford Feick on Wednesday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Following Feick’s death two weeks ago, the NT government passed what are claimed to be the toughest bail laws in the nation, after it was revealed the 18-year-old who was accused of his murder, a youth at the time, was first granted bail by an on-call judge in late 2023 for the alleged rape and aggravated assault of a 14-year-old girl. He was also charged with allegedly depriving a person of personal liberty, ­assaulting and resisting police, and spitting on an officer or emergency worker.

The legislation, introduced in an “urgent” parliamentary sitting last Wednesday and passed without opposition, says NT judges must have a “high degree of confidence” that an accused person does not pose a danger to society and that community safety is the “paramount consideration” when considering bail.

It was also revealed the accused was on bail for two separate matters at the time of the alleged rape. He has since been charged with theft and trespass, after an incident on April 21.