Wanderers vice-captain Simon Bates's bail blues lands him back in Darwin Local Court

 A star Territory footballer accused of supplying party drugs and fracturing a man’s skull at a Darwin nightclub is back in court.

UPDATE MAY 5: A STAR Territory footballer accused of supplying party drugs and fracturing a man’s skull at a Darwin nightclub last year is back in court.

Simon Gordon Bates, 29, appeared in Darwin Local Court on Thursday accused of breaching his bail conditions.

Bates, who is the vice-captain of Men’s Premier League club Wanderers, has been accused of attempting to flush MDMA and cocaine down his toilet as police arrived at his Karama home on November 14.

The night before Bates allegedly was involved in an aggravated assault at Mayberry, which left a man with “constant migraines”, chipped teeth, two minor brain bleeds and a skull fracture.

Both matters are still before the court, with Bate indicating he would plead guilty to the aggravated assault, possessing a trafficable quantity of MDMA and supplying a less than commercial quantity of cocaine.

It is understood the alleged bail violation occurred at Darwin on Sunday April 17 and Monday April 18. 

On Thursday, Bates’s barrister Luke McLaughlin applied for a two week adjournment on the fresh bail charges.

The NTFL footballer will reappear over the bail violation charge on May 19, with the drugs charges to be assessed on May 25 and the assault case on June 3. 

UPDATE APR 1: AN NTFL star footballer who pleaded guilty to possessing MDMA has a history of “small time drug supply”, a court has heard.

On Wednesday, Simon Gordon Bates, 29, pleaded guilty in the Darwin Local Court to possessing a trafficable quantity of MDMA and supplying a less than commercial quantity of cocaine on November 14 last year.

He also pleaded guilty to destroying a drug at 7.45am that day after police attended his Karama address.

The NT News revealed Bates, who is the vice captain of Men’s Premier League club Wanderers, attempted to flush the drugs down the toilet during the early morning visit.

The footballer also told police officers the $9000 they found at his property — believed to be from the sale of drugs — was from flipping cars over about three years.

The court on Wednesday heard police found text messages from November 5 last year on Bates’ phone, using the encrypted app Signal, which indicated the supply of cocaine.

Wanderers footballer Simon Bates has pleaded guilty to possessing and supplying drugs. Picture: Felicity Elliott: AFLNT/Media.

Officers also found several ledgers “indicating the supply of schedule one drugs”, a statement of facts revealed.

On Wednesday, for Bates, Peter Maley said his client had a prior history of “small time drug supply” in a house he shared with another alleged drug offender who is currently on remand.

Mr Maley said Bates’ home was “scattered” with drug paraphernalia, but it was not clear which property he was referring to.

However, he said his client “mainly” supplied drugs at parties but had struggled with recent mental health issues, had spent time in a ward and was receiving antipsychotic medication.

“His family are very supportive of him, they’re all local people,” Mr Maley said.

The matter was adjourned until May 25 and a pre-sentence report has been ordered.

Bates’ bail was also continued until that date.

He has also indicated he would plead guilty to an aggravated assault charge, following an incident at the Mayberry nightclub, when he appears on April 14.

NTFL footballer allegedly hit man in Darwin nightclub

A MAN was left with “constant migraines”, chipped teeth, two minor brain bleeds and a skull fracture after being allegedly hit twice by Wanderers vice-captain Simon Bates in a Darwin nightclub last year, a statement of facts reveals.

Bates, 29, has been charged with aggravated assault following the incident on November 12 at the Mayberry nightclub, which left the victim unconscious.

About 3.50am, the victim, who the NT News has chosen not to name, was sitting with friends near the dance floor of the Edmunds St premises.

Bates, who was standing nearby, approached the man and struck up a conversation, exchanging a few words before the alleged victim stood up, police claim.

However, without warning, Bates stepped towards the man and with a closed fist, struck the victim twice in the face in “quick succession”, the statement reads.

A man was left with significant injuries following an alleged altercation with NTFL star Simon Bates. Picture: Felicity Elliott / AFLNT Media

“The defendant hit the victim with such force to render him unconscious causing him to fall backwards, striking his head on the brick wall behind him before falling onto the dancefloor,” it stated.

“At no time did the defendant have permission to assault the victim.”

St John Ambulance NT paramedics were at the nightclub for an unrelated incident and took the victim to the Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment for his injuries.

The alleged attack left the victim with a fracture to the rear of his skull and two minor bleeds on his brain which required medical supervision for three days.

He also received swelling to his top lip and had several of his teeth chipped which “cause pain when he drinks anything cold”, it read.

“The victim has also been suffering from constant migraines and ringing in his ears since the incident,” it stated.

The victim was not allowed to drive a car until medically cleared and required at least a month off work.

Bates was arrested on December 31 last year.

He has indicated he will plead guilty to the aggravated assault charge when he next appears in court on April 14.

NTFL star tried to flush drugs, had ledgers, police say

WANDERERS vice-captain Simon Bates allegedly tried to discard of “a quantity of drugs” when police knocked on his door following an assault in a nightclub the day before, a statement of facts reveals.

Bates, 29, has been charged with aggravated assault and possessing MDMA and cocaine, following a big night out in Darwin on November 13 last year.

At 7.45am, on November 14, police executed a search warrant at a Karama address, the statement reads.

“Upon knocking on the door, the defendant approached a window and was instructed by Sgt Lovett to open the door, which he failed to do so, instead walking back to his bedroom and attempting to discard of a quantity of drugs,” it read.

The police continued to knock on the door and “demanded (Bates) open it”, which he eventually did.

Officers then found a “quantity of drugs” in the toilet, within the en suite of Bates’ bedroom, police claim.

Simon Bates said he had earned $9000, found in a bedroom drawer and in his vehicle, from “flipping cars”. Picture: Felicity Elliott/AFLNT Media

Following a further search, police found a clip seal bag of white powder weighing about one gram, believed to be cocaine, and a bag containing tablets, also weighing one gram, believed to be MDMA.

The amount of cocaine was less than a trafficable quantity, however, the amount of MDMA was of a trafficable quantity, the statement revealed.

Police also found $7900 in a bedroom drawer, several ledgers “indicating the supply of schedule one drugs”, a further $1100 in his car and two mobile phones.

“An initial interrogation of the defendant’s phone revealed recent messages on the encrypted app ‘Signal’, indicative of the supply of cocaine,” it stated.

“’Signal’ and other encrypted apps are commonly used for illicit purposes due to them being seen as a safer way to avoid the detection of law enforcement agencies.

“Police believe the $9000… is derived from the proceeds of ongoing drug supply.

“(Bates) was later asked about the currency, which he claimed was from flipping cars over the space of around three years.

“He was asked about the drugs in the toilet, but could not provide a satisfactory account of how they got there.”

An NT Court spokesman confirmed Bates has previously indicated in court that he would plead guilty to some or all of the drugs and related charges at his next appearance on March 30.

Eagles leader charged with drugs and assault offences

Wanderers vice-captain Simon Bates will return to court later this month on drugs charges.

Bates, 29, faces allegations of possessing MDMA and cocaine and aggravated assault following a big-night out in Darwin in November last year.

The footy star faces two separate court battles over the weekend revelries, with police charging him for an aggravated assault around midnight on Saturday, November 13 and drugs charges the following day.

Bates last appeared in Darwin Local Court before Judge Greg Cavanagh on March 10.

Police allege Bates was involved in a late-night assault of another person in Darwin around midnight on the Saturday night.

Hours later, he was charged with possessing cocaine and a trafficable amount of MDMA the following Sunday.

Simon Bates playing against Palmerston in round 17. Picture: Felicity Elliott/AFLNT Media.

Police allege Bates was supplying less than a commercial amount of cocaine during his night on the town.

Bates, who was part of the Territory’s representative team last season, is also accused of destroying evidence and possessing property in the commission of an offence.

A NT Court spokesman confirmed Bates has previously indicated in court that he would plead guilty to some or all of the drugs and related charges at his next appearance on March 30.

He also indicated he would plead guilty to the aggravated assault charge when he appears on April 14.

In a statement, Wanderers vice president Neil Ransome said the club would support Bates who had been an Eagle since juniors and played his 150th Premier League match on Australia Day.

“Simon is a member of the Wanderers family and is well aware that the club is here to support him and his mental health in reference to any issues, rumours or allegations about him,” Ransome said.

Bates was part of the Wanderers squad which lost the first semi-final to St Mary’s at TIO Stadium by 64 points on March 5.