NT councillor Constantine Mamarika granted bail

A remote council has been operating a man down for two months, after one of its leaders was accused of drunkenly bashing and stabbing a community member. Details.

Constantine Mamarika, who is a councillor on the Groote Archipelago Regional Council, has appeared in the NT Supreme Court.

Just two weeks after he was sworn in as a councillor, a “well-respected” community leader has been accused of trying to hit a 12-year-old girl with a hammer before stabbing a man.

Councillor Constantine Mamarika, who represents the ‘East Ward’ of the Groote Archipelago Regional Council, has been charged with aggravated entering a dwelling and two counts of aggravated assault in relation to an incident which took place on May 1.

Police allege Mr Mamarika, 44, was drunk when he became involved in a local disturbance.

It is alleged Mr Mamarika and other co-accused armed themselves with a spear and an axe before running off to a nearby house.

When the group arrived at the residence, a spear was allegedly thrown at a man who was sitting on the front verandah with a 12-year-old girl.

Mr Mamarika is accused of striking a man with a hammer and stabbing him in the chest.

The man and the girl retreated into the house and locked themselves in a storeroom.

It is alleged Mr Mamarika kicked the door down and threatened the girl before trying to hit her with a hammer.

The girl managed to flee.

Police allege the male occupant was then set upon by Mr Mamarika and his co-accused, who struck him with the axe and spear.

During the beat down, Mr Mamarika is alleged to have hit the victim in the head with a hammer before stabbing him in the chest.

Mr Mamarika was arrested on May 6.

On Monday morning, Mr Mamarika applied for bail at the NT Supreme Court after spending two months in custody.

The court heard Mr Mamarika had a “lengthy” criminal history. Picture: Zizi Averill.

Mr Mamarika’s lawyer said her client could be trusted to return to his home, referring to his compliance with authorities in the aftermath of the allegations.

The court also heard Mr Mamarika would contest the charges and was willing to abide by several bail conditions.

The prosecutor expressed concern around reporting conditions and said electronic monitoring was “clearly not practicable” if he were to return to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

After hearing submissions, Justice Sonia Brownhill said the crown case was “neither strong nor weak”.

Mr Mamarika pictured with Health Minister Steve Edgington.

She also noted the community held Mr Mamarika in high regard.

“The material I’ve received says he’s a well-respected man on Groote Eylandt,” she said.

“And involved in various local organisations.”

Justice Brownhill said she had a “high degree of confidence” the defendant would not commit a serious offence if he was released.

Mr Mamarika was granted bail, with multiple conditions imposed.

He will need to stay at a residence on Bickerton Island, a short boat trip from Groote Eylandt and will also be required to report to police once a week.

Multiple no contact orders were also imposed.

Mr Mamarika’s matter will return to the Supreme Court on July 16.

The day of the alleged offence coincided with Health Minister Steve Edgington hailing Mr Mamarika in a social media post for keeping his home “immaculately clean and tidy”.

“We love seeing tenants who take exceptional care of their home and yard,” he posted on May 1.

Originally published as NT councillor Constantine Mamarika granted bail