Young man who self harmed charged over damage to NT cell

DISTRESSING: A young man who self harmed in a Northern Territory prison cell has been charged over the damage caused at the peak of his mental health crisis, a court has heard.

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A young man who self harmed in a Northern Territory prison cell has been charged over the damage caused at the peak of his mental health crisis, a court has heard.

Ethan Austral appeared before the Darwin Local Court charged with damaging property and arson.

His lawyer Michael Drury said the 26-year-old was in a cell and attempted to self harm in August, 2024.

“He was being held in custody, attempted to self harm, and his instructions are that a fire started and it was unintentional,” Mr Drury said.

He said the young man was released from custody in September and “has been out of trouble ever since”.

Despite the incident occurring in August, the charges were only laid six months later — after Mr Austral was released from custody.

Mr Drury said his young client was never told about any fresh charges, stating “he’s received no notice to appear, no summons”, while Mr Ledek flagged that the file “erroneously” claimed Mr Austral was still in custody.

“He was completely unaware of any proceedings,” Mr Drury said.

Indeed the 26-year-old said he only realised he had to go to court, because his girlfriend happened to check the court list that morning and spotted his name.

“It is astoundingly to his credit that he is here today — and I think his partner has everything to do with that,” Mr Ledek said.

Mr Ledek said it was not the role of the court to do the police’s work and alert people they were facing criminal charges.

Mr Austral was granted bail, with no conditions apart from a $250 promise to appear for his next court date on May 28 for a preliminary examination mention.