Sydney man known as the ‘Inner West Rapist’ sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for sexually assaulting four women

A man known as the “Inner West Rapist” who admitted a series of gruesome sexual assaults on women in Sydney two decades ago has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison.

A judge today condemned Darren Kennedy’s crimes as heinous, cruel, dehumanising and instilling fear in society.

Between December 2003 and March 2004, he attacked four women in Croydon, Bondi, Bexley and Marrickville who were either at home or on their way home at night.

His arrest in November 2021 came after a DNA link was found to four different crime scenes.

The 54-year-old pleaded guilty to 13 counts, including four counts of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of assault with an indecent act.

Victims and survivors speak out

The New South Wales District Court heard that Kennedy’s surviving victims – aged 17, 23, 43 and 51 – were threatened and told not to look at him during the violent attacks.

Judge Jennie Girdham said two of the women had detailed the profound and long-term impact on them in their victim impact statements.

One of them explained that the events were still “like a cloud in her mind,” taking her back to the scene of the attack when she least expected it, and described an “ominous presence that threatened her.”

She felt her safe space had been destroyed, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and flashbacks and could still hear Kennedy’s voice in her head, the court said.

The women suffered from shame, insecurity, excessive vigilance, lack of trust and relationship problems, the court said.

Judge Girdham sentenced Kennedy to a maximum term of 17 years and four months in prison, with 13 years’ probation.

She said women have the right to feel safe in their homes, but are humiliated and degraded there.

“There is no doubt that each victim was terrified and the crimes had a significant impact,” she said.

When Kennedy was arrested, police found 173 videos and 43 images of child abuse on his cell phone.

Perpetrator describes his actions as “regrettable” and “monstrous”

Kennedy wrote a letter to the court apologizing and acknowledging the “callous brutality” of these crimes.

He described his actions as “regrettable” and “monstrous” and said he took responsibility for his actions and promised to become a better person in prison.

Judge Girdham assessed his prospects for rehabilitation as “better.”

She said he was full of remorse and acknowledged his expressions of remorse.

“Of course, actions speak louder than words,” said the judge.

Because his sentence was retroactive to the date of his arrest, Kennedy will be eligible for parole in November 2034.