Ex-Darwin councillor Paul Arnold claims potential witness restraining order an ‘abuse of process’

A former local politician and professional photographer has claimed police are abusing a system designed to protect victims of domestic violence in their case against him.

Former local politician and professional photographer Paul Arnold is contesting one of two restraining orders against him, with each relating to an ongoing criminal investigation. Picture: Che Chorley

An embattled ex-Darwin councillor has claimed a second domestic violence order against his name is an “abuse of process".

Former local politician and professional photographer Paul Arnold is contesting one of two restraining orders against him, with each relating to an ongoing criminal investigation.

Police allege the 51-year-old was involved in a nine-month campaign of abuse, assaults and stalking against a woman.

In May Arnold cited mental health issues as he resigned as the Lyons Ward councillor, triggering a 12-person race for this weekend’s by-election.

But only a month later the photographer was sensationally arrested at his Smith St Mall art gallery and charged with three counts of breaking a domestic violence order and unlawful stalking, as well as multiple counts of property damage, aggravated assault and deprivation of liberty.

On Friday Arnold’s lawyer Julie Franz restated that her client denied the allegations against him — calling a second restraining order against him an “abuse of process” by police.

Ms Franz told the Darwin Local Court the second domestic violence order was for a potential witness “in the criminal proceedings”.

She said a bail non-contact condition was a more appropriate avenue to deal with the matter and called for the police restraining order to be dropped.

Ms Franz did acknowledge there was a recent alleged incident between Arnold and the protected person “in a very public place”.

However, she said if the application was not withdrawn she would be asking the court hearing to argue that it was an abuse of process.

The hearing was adjourned until September 15.