Darwin man Simon Bates faces Darwin Local Court

A former NTFL player has been accused of trying to grab a police officer’s gun.

Simon Gordon Bates, now 32, has been charged with nine offences following his arrest on June 10.

A Darwin man accused of trying to grab a police officer’s Glock has appeared in court.

Former NTFL star Simon Gordon Bates has been charged with disarming a member, assaulting and hindering a police officer, resisting police in the execution of their duty, trespassing, careless driving, not stopping after a crash, failing to provide a blood sample and failing to disclose their identity when asked by a police officer.

Police allege that last Tuesday afternoon Mr Bates crashed a vehicle through a residential fence in Girraween before fleeing on foot to a nearby lagoon.

It is alleged when police located the former footy player, Mr Bates dived into the lagoon and swam to its centre to avoid arrest.

Police ultimately used a vessel to reach Bates, who was dragged into the boat and arrested.

Police say Mr Bates attempted to grab an officer’s firearm during his arrest, but was stopped from doing so.

Footage of the alleged incident circulated online. Source: The Mango Inquirer.

Footage of the alleged incident was circulated widely online, showing a struggle aboard the boat from a distance.

Last week, Mr Bates sat in the dock supported by a large number of family and friends.

His lawyer, Michael Drury, said his client suffered from mental health issues.

“We (seek) to have him marked as ‘at risk’ on that basis,” he said.

“He instructs me that he (has) been hearing voices and hallucinating.”

The prosecution also acknowledged “there were mental health concerns” regarding Mr Bates.

Judge Therese Austin adjourned for mental health issues to be assessed and marked him down as ‘at risk’.

Mr Bates was remanded in custody and will next appear on June 26.