A 32-year-old NT Police Sergeant granted bail after allegedly raping woman at boozy house party

A NT Police Sergeant who allegedly ‘crossed a line’ and raped a woman at a boozy house party has been granted bail. Find out what happened in court.

A 32-year-old NT Police Sergeant — who cannot be named for legal reasons — appeared behind a thick security screen at Darwin Local Court on Thursday facing multiple sexual assault charges.

A young woman was allegedly raped and sexually abused at a house party filled with Territory cops, a court has heard.

A 32-year-old NT Police Sergeant — who cannot be named for legal reasons — appeared behind a thick security screen at Darwin Local Court on Thursday facing multiple sexual assault charges.

Judge Alan Woodcock heard the off-duty cop and his alleged victim were at a house party with a number of other young policemen on November 9 this year, when the Sergeant allegedly “crossed a line”.

It was alleged the Sergeant was sexually inappropriate and raped the woman.

A month later he was charged with sexual intercourse without consent, two counts of indecent touching and three counts of gross indecency.

The court heard the woman texted the cop two weeks later saying: “I know it was drunken play, but maybe just maybe not cross the line next time”.

Prosecutor Rebecca Everitt said it was “quite clear from her perspective, she viewed the conduct as crossing a line”.

A generic photo of an NT Police Officer. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“There’s some agreement … from the accused that the conduct occurred,” Ms Everitt said.

“It will be a question of consent.”

The court heard that a number of young police officers who were guests at the party had already given their statements to investigators.

Defence barrister Peter Maley said his client planned to contest the allegations, taking his not guilty plea to a Supreme Court jury.

Mr Maley argued it was a “weak” Crown case as the alleged victim said her “memory (was) going to s--t” because of the alcohol, and there had been “ambivalent text messages” between her and her alleged rapist in the days after the party.

The Sergeant’s wife watched from the court gallery as he made his appeal to be released from custody.

In the bail application Mr Maley confirmed his client lived in police-issued housing, and it was expected he could remain there even with the serious criminal charges hanging over his head.

But after 12 years on the force, Mr Maley said his client’s future with the Territory cops was “under review” after the 32-yaer-old was suspended with pay.

Ms Everitt opposed any bail due to concerns for the alleged victim and his risk to the investigation due to his connection to a number of witnesses.

She pushed for a non-intoxication condition to his bail, saying the boozy party had shown the cop could reach a “significant level of disinhibition”

“There may be further occasions that he may engage in behaviour, either in interference or in similar behaviour if he were to have access to alcohol while on bail,” Ms Everitt said.

Mr Woodcock approved bail, imposing a $10,000 bond and barring the 32-year-old from leaving the Greater Darwin area or contacting either the alleged victim or the witnesses.

The matter was adjourned to January 29, 2025 for a preliminary examination mention.

The Territory is the only jurisdiction where people charged with a sexual offence cannot be identified until their case is committed to the Supreme Court.