Prosecutors drop charges against three of eight men charged with breaking COVID-19 rules

PROSECUTORS have dropped charges against three men previously accused of breaching coronavirus restrictions by travelling between Darwin and a remote community without permission and without quarantining.

Prosecutors have dropped charges against three men previously accused of breaching coronavirus restrictions.

PROSECUTORS have dropped charges against three men previously accused of breaching coronavirus restrictions by travelling between Darwin and a remote community without permission and without quarantining.

Ian Ross Alimankinni, 37, James Alimankinni, 23, Richard Ricardi Cunningham, 21, Jimmy Brown, 25, Douglas Cunningham, 21, Ronald Cunningham, 63, Robert Junior Cunningham, 39, and Douglas Puruntatameri, 23, were each due to face Darwin Local Court on Tuesday charged with failing to comply with emergency requirements – but were instead under quarantine in a Darwin resort.

Commonwealth prosecutor Sarah Gibbs told the court the charges against Ian and James Alimankinni and Richard Cunningham would be withdrawn – although Ian Alimankinni still faces a charge of possessing a small amount of cannabis.

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Police allege the five men still facing the biosecurity charges travelled by boat between Darwin and the Tiwi Islands on April 15.

Shortly before arriving back on the Tiwis, police say the vessel broke down, leaving the group stranded on the water overnight, and officers intercepted the group when they returned to shore after being rescued by a family member.

Defence counsel Beth Wild said her clients were now due to complete their mandatory quarantine on Friday before travelling back to Wurrumiyanga, except Brown who had accommodation on Croker Island.

Ms Wild said those travelling to Wurrumiyanga would be chartered home under the Territory Families and Larrakia Nation return to country program, while Brown would arrange his own transport.

Judge Elisabeth Armitage extended bail for six of the men, excepting James Alimankinni and Richard Cunningham who would be free to go once their time in isolation was over.

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The men will each return to court on May 19 where Ms Wild said the cases were “likely to proceed by way of a plea”.

“They are all in good spirits,” she said.

“They’re travelling quite well and pleased to be in their second week of quarantine.”

As of last Friday, police had conducted 6238 compliance checks to ensure people were completing their 14-day quarantine and issued 42 on-the-spot fines.