20-year-old American Marine in court over alleged rape, assault in Palmerston
An American Marine has appeared before Darwin court for the first time 10 days after the alleged rape of a woman in Palmerston.
Police & Courts
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An American Marine whose alleged rape of a woman in Palmerston resulted in his team being locked down in Robertson Barracks has appeared in court for the first time.
A 20-year-old American, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with aggravated assault and sexual intercourse without consent following an alleged incident on Monday September 18.
Following the charges the US Defence Force imposed a “restricted liberty status” at the Robertson Barracks, with the Americans not allowed to leave or receive visitors.
Ten days after the alleged assault, the young Marine appeared in Darwin Local Court for the first time on Thursday.
The 20-year-old had already been granted police bail, and in a brief court appearance his lawyer Nyanciew Riek Gai simply asked for a future court date.
His matter was adjourned until November 20 for preliminary examination mention, meaning the case could proceed to the Supreme Court.
The rest of the Marines are due to leave Darwin in October following the grim end to the Predators Run Exercise, in which three Marines were killed in an Osprey crash over the Tiwi Islands.
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