Karama assault: Woman in hospital with neck wound after alleged attack by partner

Investigations are ongoing after a woman was allegedly assaulted by her partner on Thursday night. Find out more.

Welcome to the NT News’ weekly Top End rolling police, crime, traffic, fire and breaking news blog. Keep up with the latest in the Top End – from Katherine to Darwin, West Daly, Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands.

December 19, 10.50pm: A woman has been hospitalised with a wound to the neck after an alleged assault at Karama.

NT Police in a statement said the woman and her partner were on Kalymnos Drive when he allegedly assaulted her about 10.50pm on Thursday.

With non-life-threatening injuries, the woman was transported to the Royal Darwin Hospital by St John ambulance crews, police said.

Police said a 28-year-old man was arrested, and remains in custody, with charges expected to follow.

Investigations are ongoing.

Truck fire sparks Top End camp evacuation

December 20, 2.17am: A truck’s trailers carrying some aerosol cans and batteries have caught alight in Katherine.

The truck was travelling through Katherine on the Stuart Highway when, opposite from the skate park and adventure playground, the trailers were detached from the prime mover and caught fire at 2.17am on Friday.

Some people nearby at the Warlpiri Transient Camp were evacuated due to excessive smoke, but soon returned when the smoke dissipated, Northern Watch Commander Peter Dunne said.

Fire investigators are looking into the incident but it’s believed to have been a case of the brakes getting too hot and causing a fire as a result, he said.

Driver left with life-threatening injuries in Katherine crash

Updated: December 20, 10:30am: A two-vehicle crash in Katherine on Wednesday evening has left the driver of one vehicle in a “critical condition”, with police urging the public to take care on Territory roads.

NT Police and St John in a statement on Friday confirmed the driver of the vehicle in a head on crash in Katherine was a 21-year-old woman.

Police allege a car travelling on Chambers Drive swerved into the oncoming lane and crashed with another vehicle.

She was flown to Royal Darwin Hospital on Thursday morning.

Sergeant Neil James said the situation was “extremely sad” for the family of the woman, and urged Territorians to “drive with care on our roads”.

“Eliminate distractions, manage fatigue, don’t speed or get behind the wheel under the influence and always wear a seat belt,” Mr James said.

Investigations into the crash are still ongoing.

Initial: December 18, 7.50pm: A Katherine driver has been left with life-threatening injuries after a crash on Wednesday.

A car travelling on Chambers Drive, Katherine, swerved into the oncoming lane and crashed head-on with another vehicle about 7.50pm on Wednesday.

Trapped and in critical condition, NT Fire and St John services worked to remove the driver of one of the vehicles.

The driver was urgently transported to Katherine Hospital, but was later flown to Darwin on Thursday morning.

An NT Police spokesperson told this masthead the occupants of the other vehicle were unharmed.

The spokesperson said speeding was believed to be a factor in the crash, but said they were unable to perform alcohol testing on the critical patient.

Seven Katherine businesses damaged in besser brick break-ins

Update: December 20, 8am: A series of break-ins in Katherine on Wednesday has led to the arrest of the alleged offender.

NT Police confirmed a 17-year-old boy was arrested by Strike Force Cerberus about 6am on Friday.

He has been charged with multiple offences including burglary, aggravated burglary, damage to property, armed with weapon at night.

Initial: December 18, 2.54am: Seven Katherine businesses have had their doors smashed in by a besser-brick wielding person in a series of alleged break-ins, NT Police says.

NT Police allege about 2.54am Wednesday a young man, 17, allegedly broke into the businesses on First St.

They further allege the boy smashed in the glass front doors and rifled through offices.

A crime scene was declared and officers are working to determine what had been stolen.

Strike Force Cerberus will continue investigations in Katherine.

Man arrested in Malak after alleged sexual advances on child

December 16: A man charged with alleged child abuse-related suspicious behaviour in Malak was arrested by detectives from the NT Police Child Abuse Task Force on Monday.

The 28-year-old was charged with one count of allegedly engaging in conduct to procure sexual activity from a child under 16 years.

“Police would again like to commend the child for immediately running to a known adult, who contacted police and allowed us to begin investigations quickly,” Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Sarah Firth said.

The man was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on Tuesday.

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or NT Police on 131 444.

Two people without seatbelts in head-on crash overnight

December 16, 10pm: Two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision overnight in Darwin.

Out of the five occupants of the vehicles, it was alleged that two were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

One of the occupants was transported in a stable condition by St John NT, which attended the crash on McMillans Road around 10pm on Monday.

NT Police are currently investigating the cause of the crash.

“Police would like to remind road users to remember the Fatal Five, avoid distractions, always wear a seatbelt, never get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, don’t speed and manage fatigue,” a police spokesperson said.

Coconut Grove snake bite reported by St John NT

December 16: St John NT ambulance crews attended a snake bite report at Coconut Grove.

The 51-year-old man was bitten by a snake while gardening on Monday, December 16 at around 9am.

He was transported to hospital in a stable condition.

Authorities probe fire at malak shopping complex

Latest: December 18, 12.45pm: Police are asking for information following a structural fire at Malak Shopping Centre on Monday afternoon.

A police spokesperson said the fire caused “significant damage to the structure and electrical services”.

Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Quote reference number NTP2400128006.

Fire damage. December 16, 2024

Initial: December 16, 4.30pm: Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Services (NTFRS) responded to a structural fire at Malak Shopping Centre on Monday about 1.30pm.

It is understood the fire occurred in the underground carpark of the shopping centre.

The fire was extinguished by 3.45pm and incident controllers are now investigating.

Malak structural fire. December 16, 2024

First responders said the site was being treated as a crime scene.

Three NTFRS vehicles and police officers were present at the scene, with parts of Malak Crescent closed to traffic.

NTFRS was contacted for further comment.

‘Absolutely disgusting’: Alleged child abuser faces court

December 16, 3pm: A 37-year-old man who allegedly sexually abused a child will appear in Darwin Local Court on Tuesday.

NT Police said they arrested the man on Saturday evening December 14 — the same day he is alleged to have abused a 13-year-old girl multiple times at a residence in Darwin.

NT Police said the man was known to the girl.

“This is absolutely disgusting behaviour,” Detective Superintendent Matt Akers said.

“I commend the brave young girl that spoke up, allowing us to quickly remove this (alleged) offender from the community and put him before the courts.”

The alleged offender has been charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 16, one count of indecent act with a child under 16 and one count of grooming to engage in sexual activity with a child under 16.

Car jacked at knifepoint, cop cars rammed in alleged youth crime spree

December 16, 4am: Five boys are in custody after an alleged crime spree involving stolen booze, a car jacked at knifepoint, a violent assault and a supermarket ram raid.

NT Police Northern Watch Commander Sean Patterson alleged the youths stole alcohol from the Frontier Hotel Cellarbrations bottleshop in Darwin City at 9.40pm on Sunday.

They allegedly threw bottles at the shop worker and unsuccessfully tried to steal a worker’s car before running away from the scene.

The group then entered The Gardens, and allegedly stole a white Suzuki Vitara off a woman by threatening her with a knife.

Mr Patterson said the car was used to commit several property offences around the greater Darwin area, including a ram raid at a Jingili business about 2am, and the Hibiscus Tavern in Leanyer about 2.30am.

NT Police said the group also allegedly assaulted a 14-year-old boy with a knife at a Malak residence, inflicting significant lacerations to the victim’s face.

Just after 3am police started chasing the car, successfully using tyre spikes to bring it to a stop in Coconut Grove.

The boys, aged 14, 14, 15, 16 and 17, allegedly rammed two police cars during the chase, causing minor damage.

Strike Force Trident is investigating the alleged crime spree, and all five of the boys remain in custody.

“There is no place for the violence and anti-social behaviour committed by these (alleged) offenders in our community,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Dale Motter-Barnard.