Lockdown delays case of woman who allegedly spat at Tap Bar staffer

A woman who failed to show up at court after allegedly spitting on a hospitality worker has now had her case adjourned due to lockdown.

A WOMAN who failed to show up at court after allegedly spitting on a hospitality worker following last month’s lockdown has now had her case adjourned due to the current lockdown.

Nomthandazo Nozwhelo Mkhwebu, 23, was first scheduled to face the Darwin Local Court late last month but left without going inside after spotting the waiting media.

Mkhwebu was charged with contravening an emergency declaration, spitting on a worker and assault after allegedly refusing to wear a mask and spitting in a Tap Bar staff member’s face in the early hours of July 4.

Nomthandazo Nozwhelo Mkhwebu outside court in July. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The incident occurred two days after the last lockdown was lifted but while restrictions were still in place following a Covid-19 scare in June.

Judge Michael Carey issued a warrant for Mkhwebu’s arrest before the case was relisted for plea or mention on Tuesday, less than 24-hours after the courts announced all non-urgent hearings would be adjourned.

Local courts in Darwin and Katherine are closed until at least Friday, pending the lifting of restrictions, with all non-contested matters to be adjourned for seven days with bail and remand orders to continue.

Contested matters will be adjourned to a directions hearing list within 14 days.

Urgent domestic violence orders and urgent care and protection applications will be heard by a judge appearing via audio visual link.

The Supreme Court will continue hearing cases mostly via AVL, while courts in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek will continue to operate as normal.

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The most high profile case affected by the lockdown is the murder trial of NT Police officer Zach Rolfe, which was due to start on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the court initially said the start of the trial would be deferred until Thursday when the lockdown is due to end “to enable the Crown to consider its position following the decisions handed down on Friday last week”.

“It is uncertain yet whether the trial will need to be further deferred until Monday in response to the Covid-19 lockdown,” he said.

But a short time later it was announced that the trial would now start on Monday.

Mkhwebu is now due to return to court on August 24.

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