‘I honestly feel lucky because … it’s something that could easily kill someone’: Security guard kicked in the head in Darwin CBD speaks out

A SECURITY guard who was the victim of a sickening assault in the Darwin CBD eight days ago has spoken out following the arrest of his alleged attacker. WATCH the VIDEO HERE.

A SECURITY guard who was the victim of a sickening assault in the Darwin CBD eight days ago has spoken out following the arrest of his alleged attacker.

Jake Duncan was in the middle of breaking up a fight between two men on Smith Street about 3am last Sunday when a female bystander allegedly kicked him in the head, breaking his left eye socket.

A shocking image of Mr Duncan’s bloodied and swollen face sparked outrage on social media, with many now rallying to support him and his employer Territory Protective Services (TPS).

Jake Duncan’s bloodied and swollen face after the attack. He was taken to hospital with a broken eye socket. Picture: Supplied

TPS has been contracted to patrol the Darwin CBD at night to combat anti-social behaviour as part of a new $850,000 six-month ‘City Safe’ trial being jointly funded by the NT government and Darwin council.

Mr Duncan said he was blown away by all the messages of support he had received.

“I honestly feel lucky because a blow to the head like that — it’s something that could easily kill someone or give them brain damage,” he said.

“I was bleeding a lot and had to go to the hospital. They told me the force of the kick had broken my left eye socket and I only just missed out on having to get face surgery.”

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Police have charged a 20-year-old woman with assault in relation to the incident and she is due to appear in court today.

Darwin restaurateur Jason Hanna said TPS was doing an “outstanding” job keeping the city safe and he wanted the trial to become a permanent program.

“We’re not waking up to constant break-ins anymore and our staff feel safe walking home at night again,” he said.

A Darwin council spokeswoman said the NT government started the trial in March and council was invited to co-fund it for six months — from April 1 to September 30.

She said both were expected to contribute about $427,000 over that time.

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An NT government spokeswoman said the City Safe service operated from 4pm to 6am, seven days a week. “Six guards and two vehicles operate on each shift, patrolling the entire area in teams of two,” she said.

“The service covers the entire core CBD from Daly St to the Waterfront boundary. This arrangement will be reviewed in August 2020.”

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