NT sportsman accused of ‘ongoing abuse’ of former partner, to remain behind bars for bail appeal

A PROMINENT sportsman has been granted bail in the Local Court, but will remain behind bars after the prosecution signalled their intention to appeal the decision

The 25-year-old man appeared in the Darwin Local Court today. Picture: Che Chorley

• Prominent NT sportsman faces court charged with 19 offences including rape, assault
• Prominent sportsman’s bail app delayed a week while he is assessed for suitability

A PROMINENT sportsman has been granted bail in the Local Court, but will remain behind bars after the prosecution signalled their intention to appeal the decision.

The 25-year-old man, who cannot be named at this stage for legal reasons, stands charged with rape and 15 counts of aggravated assault.

The court heard the complainants are two women.

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Judge Richard Wallace granted the man bail in the Darwin Local Court today after his lawyer, Jon Tippett QC, launched a bail application last week. He offered conditions including that his client wear an electronic monitoring device and pay a $10,000 surety.

However, prosecutor Luke McLaughlin asked for the decision to be stayed pending review, meaning the defendant will stay on remand until the prosecution appeals the decision in the Supreme Court within three days.

Mr McLaughlin told the court there was “corroborative evidence” against the defendant of allegedly perpetrating “ongoing abuse – physically, psychologically and of a sexual nature”.

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“There are text messages which show he’s not adverse to using coercive tactics to get what he wants,” Mr McLaughlin said.

The court also heard the defendant is accused of “alleged stalking behaviour” against another couple.

The matter is set to be listed for a review in the Supreme Court on a day yet to be set.

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