NT Police officers Chris Beaumont and Wade Hawkins face court over alleged drunken joy ride in Yulara

Two police officers, one who allegedly went on drunken joy ride, and the other who allegedly became involved after the vehicle crashed, have faced court for the first time.

TWO police officers, one who allegedly went on drunken joy ride through a Central Australian town, and the other who allegedly became involved after the vehicle crashed, have faced court for the first time.

Sergeant Chris Beaumont, 48, and Wade Hawkins, 44, appeared in the Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday morning charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice and making a false declaration.

Beaumont, who resides east of Uluru in the Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu, also stands charged with driving without due care and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Last week, NT Police said investigations by Crime and the Professional Standards were underway into the circumstances of the crash and any subsequent actions after the crash.

NT Police Sergeant Chris Beaumont has been suspended without pay. Picture: Supplied.

The court heard Hawkins has since resigned, while Beaumont remains suspended from duties without pay.

A source told the NT News Beaumont, while off duty, was seen driving around Yulara, 25km north of Mutitjulu, in a police paddy wagon with lights flashing and picked up a number of people and drove them around the area.

It is alleged Beaumont was the sole occupier of the vehicle when it crashed into a stone structure at the entrance of the Ayers Rock Resort.

The court heard Beaumont would soon vacate his police accommodation in Mutitjulu and move to Queensland to live with his daughter.

The lawyer representing Hawkins requested his bail be varied to allow him to contact and approach various people, including serving officers, previously black-listed in his bail conditions.

The court heard Hawkins, who resides in Yulara, would seek other employment in the small town, and would likely run into the people named in the course of his work in most available jobs in the area.

The prosecution consented to the variation, as well as a change allowing Hawkins to leave the Territory.

Both matters were adjourned until February 3, when the men will face a preliminary examination.

Beaumont and Hawkins will not be required to appear in person at their next mention.

Beaumont’s suspension has left the 1600-person community of Mutitjulu without any police officers, with the second officer away and under investigation over a separate matter, according to the source.

Mutitjulu, a dry community, grapples with one of the highest rates of domestic violence, assaults, and alcohol and drugs incidents of all remote NT communities.

Originally published as NT Police officers Chris Beaumont and Wade Hawkins face court over alleged drunken joy ride in Yulara