Alleged Palmerston sexual predator faces new charge of gross indecency with a child under 10

A stranger allegedly caught naked in a room with a child during a Palmerston home invasion has been hit with a new charge. See why rules restricting the publication of his name could soon lift.

Police have alleged the then 22-year-old broke into the home and attempted to sexually assault the child, aged between six and 10, on Wednesday December 7. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

An alleged sexual predator accused of trying to rape a young child during a Palmerston home invasion has been hit with a fresh charge.

The 23-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with attempted rape, unlawful entry and aggravated assault following a 55-hour manhunt after an incident at a Palmerston home in December.

Police have alleged the then 22-year-old broke into the home and attempted to sexually assault the child, aged between six and 10, on Wednesday, December 7.

It is alleged that when residents in the home found him he was completely naked.

He then allegedly fled the scene in the nude, sparking a three-day search with police reportedly flooding the Palmerston suburbs.

A 22-year-old was arrested while standing in a phone box in the Palmerston area.

On Wednesday, Darwin Local Court Judge Elisabeth Armitage was told the now 23-year-old faced a fresh charge of an act of gross indecency with a child under 10.

Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage adjourned the hearing to February 27. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The prosecutor said they were still waiting on DNA evidence, but were otherwise ready for the case to move to the Supreme Court.

Ms Armitage adjourned the hearing to February 27 for a preliminary examination on the paper, with the 23-year-old expected to appear via a prison video link.

Under the Sexual Offences Act, the names of people charged with sexual offences cannot be released until they have been committed to appear in the Supreme Court.

The 23-year-old’s name may also be suppressed if it would identify his alleged victim.