34-year-old man charged with raping a child under 10 denied bail in Darwin Local Court

A man who allegedly raped a very young child in a ‘horrendous’ and ‘confronting’ attack in a Darwin home has been denied bail given his ‘appalling criminal history’.

NT Police and forensic investigators set up a crime scene around a Ludmilla home following reports of a suspected sexual assault of a child under 10 years old on Monday, June 14. Design: Eliza Barr

A man who allegedly raped a very young child in a “horrendous” and “confronting” attack in a Darwin home has been denied bail.

On Thursday the 34-year-old man — who cannot be named for legal reasons — appeared before Darwin Local Court judge Stephen Geary charged with sexual intercourse with a child.

NT Police and forensic investigators set up a crime scene around a Darwin home following reports of a suspected sexual assault of a child under 10 years old on Monday, June 14.

It took investigators a day to track down and arrest the 34-year-old man at a location in a Palmerston home.

Police allege the 34-year-old was not known to his young victim.

Detective Senior Sergeant Toby Wilson said it was a “complex, confronting investigation” involving a “very young victim”.

“The behaviour (allegedly) exhibited against this child is nothing short of horrendous,” Mr Wilson said.

On Thursday the 34-year-old man — who cannot be named for legal reasons — appeared before Darwin Local Court judge Stephen Geary charged with sexual intercourse with a child. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Two days after his arrest, the 34-year-old’s lawyer Rebecca Kriesler said police had failed to hand over any evidence in relation to the matter.

“I note from the outset that it is very serious charges” Ms Kriesler said.

“The crown case revolves around DNA evidence that we haven’t yet received.

“I cannot make submissions about whether or not this case is strong, because we simply do not have in our possession any evidence whatsoever.”

Ms Kriesler said her client had two jobs, and was seeking bail to return home to care for his elderly father and attend multiple family funerals.

She raised her concern that the 34-year-old — who required daily medication for a diagnosed psychosis condition — would have to remain on remand for an extensive period while the serious allegations went through the preliminary examination mention process.

The latest NT Court statistics said that Territorians are waiting on average 351 days until the finalisation of their cases in the Darwin Supreme Court.

After reading the witness statements and DNA evidence, Mr Geary dismissed the 34-year-old’s bail application without hearing from the prosecution.

“Given the seriousness of the allegations, your appalling criminal history, your ability to follow court orders —bail is refused,” he said.

The 34-year-old’s hearing was adjourned to September 3.

Originally published as 34-year-old man charged with raping a child under 10 denied bail in Darwin Local Court