Accused Eastside rapist’s court case awaits ‘crucial’ evidence, Alice Springs court hears

‘Crucial’ evidence is yet to be tendered in the court case of one man, who is accused of raping a sleeping woman in the Red Centre. Read the latest from court.

Alice Springs Local Court. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A Territory court is awaiting “crucial” evidence in the case of a man accused of raping a sleeping woman in Alice Springs.

The man – who this masthead cannot name due to NT suppression laws – was back before the court on Thursday.

The 22-year-old is accused of raping a woman while she was asleep in her Eastside home in December 2024.

He was excused from appearing on Thursday, with his matter being heard before Judge Anthony Hopkins in the Alice Springs Local Court.

Crown Prosecutor Tanya McKinney sought an adjournment, noting the prosecution was awaiting “crucial” DNA evidence.

“We’re usually waiting for 12 weeks for forensic results,” she said.

The man has been charged with aggravated burglary in a dwelling, two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, gross indecency without consent, and being armed with an offensive weapon.

In addition to his other charges, he is also facing charges of running a red light, failing to indicate, and driving a vehicle which is unlicensed and uninsured while he was unlicensed.

He has been on remand since his arrest in December last year, and is yet to enter a plea on any of his charges.

The prosecution is also seeking some body worn footage, Ms McKinney told the court.

The man’s lawyer Luke Carr sought an adjournment for a preliminary examination mention, but Judge Hopkins knocked back the request.

He instead adjourned the matter for a preliminary examination paper, and excused the man from appearing if legally represented.

Judge Hopkins remanded the man in custody, and his matter will be back in the Alice Springs Local Court April 17.

Originally published as Accused Eastside rapist’s court case awaits ‘crucial’ evidence, Alice Springs court hears