Alex Spittles faces court after Howard Springs crash that killed motorcyclist John Leary

A 38-year-old Dundee Beach man alleged to have driven off after a fatal motorcycle crash last month has faced court for the first time.

Alex Joseph Spittles (right) leaves the Darwin Local Court with lawyer Matt Hubber on Thursday.

A Dundee Beach man who police allege drove off after 31-year-old motorcyclist John Leary crashed into the back of his ute and died has faced court for the first time.

Alex Joseph Spittles appeared in the Darwin Local Court on Thursday charged with hit-and-run driving causing death, not stopping after a crash and failing to report a crash.

The 38-year-old’s lawyer Matt Hubber successfully applied for the case to be adjourned until after Christmas following the fatal crash in Howard Springs last month.

“I’m seeking a slightly longer than usual adjournment, we’re waiting on the crash investigation report which always takes a long time,” he said.

“Obviously the Christmas break’s in between so I’m seeking the 31st of January please for (preliminary examination mention).

In granting the adjournment, judge David Woodroffe also agreed to change Spittle’s bail conditions so he could live back home at Dundee Beach.

“The reason behind all that, your honour, is that my client’s usual residence is at Dundee Beach, he lives and works there and has lived there for five years,” Mr Hubber said.

Police initially said Mr Leary had attempted to overtake a vehicle at high speed and failed to navigate the corner on Whitewood Road in Howard Springs on October 10.

But in a subsequent statement, detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said “the motorcyclist crashed into the rear of a Toyota utility, resulting in the rider’s death”.

“The driver of the utility (allegedly) continued driving before stopping in Pinelands to inspect his vehicle,” he said.

“(He) was arrested (on October 20) at Darwin Airport after returning to the Northern Territory.

“He has since been charged with hit-and-run cause death, not stop after crash and fail to report crash.”

Sergeant Lindner said anyone involved in a crash must stop, “regardless of whether you are at fault or not”.

“You must stop, you must help others involved and you must then report the incident to police as soon as possible,” he said.

“If you think you can drive away undetected because there were no witnesses, as this driver (allegedly) did, then think again.

“You will be identified, you will be arrested and you will be sent to court to explain your actions to a judge.”