NT to introduce new bail restrictions for violent offenders following death of bottle shop worker

The proposed amendments come just over a week after a 20-year-old bottle shop worker was stabbed to death in Darwin.

Declan Laverty, 20, was allegedly stabbed to death at The Airport Tavern in Darwin on Sunday, March 19. Picture: Facebook

The father of a 20-year-old bottle shop worker stabbed to death in Darwin has welcomed proposed tougher restrictions on bail for ­offenders who use a weapon, as pressure grows on the Northern Territory government to curb spiralling violence.

Declan Laverty’s father, ­Damian Crook, said he was pleased the government had ­“finally put their big boy pants on”. “It’s amazing how quick things can happen in bad circumstances,” he said.

“If anything’s come out of Dec­lan’s passing it is that something is being done straight away to prevent this happening again. And that’s all I want.”

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the proposed amendments, which introduce a presumption against bail for violent offences involving a weapon, could be debated in the NT parliament as early as Wednesday.

There will also be a presumption against bail for co-offenders who participate in violent offences involving a weapon, even if they do not possess the weapon themselves.

The proposed changes would apply to youths and adults.

The NT government has been under increasing pressure over the past few months as the Territory grappled with alcohol and non-alcohol fuelled crime from Darwin down to Alice Springs.

NT Attorney-General Chansey Paech and Chief Minister Natasha Fyles announce a proposed strengthening of bail laws. Picture: Liam Mendes

On Tuesday afternoon, Ms Fyles said the changes “matches the community’s expectation of us as a government … Enough is enough. If you are charged with a violent offence involving a weapon, it is expected that you will sit on remand and be out of the community until your case is heard.

“We refuse to let knife crime become the norm here in the Territory and these changes send a strong message to the community,” Ms Fyles said.

The move comes after Darwin Local Court heard last week that teenager Keith Kerinauia, who was charged with the murder of Declan Laverty, had been released on bail for alleged aggravated robbery and aggravated assault with a “bladed weapon” in 2022. Mr Crook said he was shocked when notified of the announcement. “Wow, that’s quick,” he said with a laugh.

“Unfortunately, it has to take something bad to happen for ­people to realise that change should happen,” he said.

“If it means more people will not be getting out on bail and doing what happened to Declan, then I’m all for it.”

Mr Crook, however, called for a review of the Banned Drinkers Register, and expressed his fear for those working in takeaway alcohol venues who had to refuse service to those on the register.

Damian Crook, father of Declan Laverty, after the NT government announced proposed amendments to bail laws. Picture: Liam Mendes

He said he was aware of people serving alcohol to banned drinkers out of fear of their reaction if they were refused service.

“As soon as they refuse service, they don’t know what could happen,” Mr Crook said.

“That’s why they’re not going to refuse service, and people will keep getting served alcohol.”

He said his son would tell those who were on the BDR that they wouldn’t be served.

“He was only five foot nothing, but he told them. He wasn’t scared, and that’s the problem – he was not scared,” Mr Crook said.

NT Attorney-General Chansey Paech said the government had made a “considered and measured approach” since Mr Laverty’s death to ensure the amendments had no “unintended consequences”.

“What I am bringing forward to the Territory parliament this week is amendments to the bail act to strengthen that and have a presumption against bail for violent offences with a weapon.

“They are offences that relate to people with a weapon such as a knife, an axe, a machete, a crossbow, because we are saying enough is enough and we are taking appropriate action in our community to provide and to uphold the community expectations,” Mr Paech said.