Notorious Adelaide rapist, Joseph Duroux, kept in jail as experts consider if he can control himself

He’s one of SA’s most vile serial rapists – but when a court told him he wasn’t getting out tomorrow after 28 years, he had just three words in disgust.

One of SA’s most notorious rapists will remain behind bars, despite the imminent expiration of his sentence, while experts determine whether he is willing to or capable of controlling his predatory sexual instincts.

Joseph Duroux was due to be released on Friday from custody after serving 28 years for seven counts of rape against three women in 1991, and one attempted rape in 1995.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court heard the Attorney-General’s department had lodged an application on May 28 seeking to postpone that release.

Convicted serial rapist Joseph Duroux’s crimes were committed after he broke into their homes across Adelaide and sexually assaulted them. Picture: 7News Adelaide

The court heard that application sought to have Duroux remain in custody until his mental fitness had been assessed by two legally qualified medical practitioners.

Under laws enacted following a campaign by The Advertiser, sex offenders can be released back into the community only if two experts agree they are willing to and capable of controlling their predatory sexual instincts.

In court on Thursday counsel for the Attorney-General’s said those reports would be ready by October.

They asked Justice Ben Doyle make an interim detention order keeping Duroux in custody until then.

Counsel for Duroux said they did not oppose the application nor their client’s continued detention.

Duroux, however, said over the video link: “This is s**t.”

Justice Doyle granted the application and remained Duroux in custody for a full hearing in October.

Duroux’s crimes were committed after he broke into his victims’ homes across Adelaide and sexually assaulted them.

Now in his 60s, Duroux has been eligible for parole in April 2015, and was knocked back in 2019, after the parole board determined that he could not control his sexual urges.

The Attorney-General’s department has applied for an indefinite detention order, which would see Duroux locked up for good.

According to the ABC, in 2019, Justice Hinton determined Duroux, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was unable to control his sexual urges, but said if he was released, he would be unlikely to reoffend.

“The evidence does not support a conclusion that he is likely to immediately set about planning to rape vulnerable women,” Justice Hinton said in court.

Justice Hinton said if Duroux developed “maladaptive behaviours as a means of coping with life stresses” as he had done previously, then the risk of reoffending would increase.

Originally published as Notorious Adelaide rapist, Joseph Duroux, kept in jail as experts consider if he can control himself