19-year-old woman who allegedly assaulted a police officer faces court for the first time

A 19-year-old woman who allegedly kicked a police officer in the head earlier this month has appeared in court for the first time.

UPDATE APRIL 21: A 19-year-old woman who allegedly kicked a police officer in the head earlier this month has appeared in court for the first time.

Mikaela Derksen appeared in the Darwin Local Court charged with hindering a member of the police force and assaulting a member of the police force.

The alleged attack took place on April 9 outside the Mayberry nightclub on Edmunds St.

Officers were called to the location following reports of disturbances in the street around 3.45am, but while trying to make an arrest a member of police was allegedly attacked.

The 19-year-old was later arrested and was bailed to appear in court.

Derksen appeared without legal aid and had her case adjourned and her bail extended until May 12.

Mikaela Derksen leaves Darwin Local Court after first mention.

UPDATE 9.30AM, TUES: POLICE patrols will ramp up across Darwin’s party district following the wake of a series of violent incidents over the weekend.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Hege Burns has confirmed police previously assigned to Covid duties will return to the trouble-plagued city weekend shift to address alcohol-related offences.

It comes days after a police officer was allegedly kicked in the head by a 19-year-old woman, before reportedly being “set upon” and berated by a group of drunk revellers in the early hours of Sunday morning.

NT Police confirmed they were investigating the “disgraceful” alleged attack outside the Mayberry, on Edmunds St on Sunday.

Darwin nightclub, Mayberry on Edmunds St, Darwin City.

The alleged attack came hours after police officers responded to reports of a large brawl on Mitchell St.

Superintendent James O’Brien said four men were charged in connection to the disturbance, and appeared in Darwin Local Court on Monday facing charges of going armed in public and engaging in violent conduct.

“Little did these men realise that the public didn’t take too kindly to their behaviour,” Supt O’Brien said.

“Even though we don’t encourage people to get involved with armed offenders, I’d like to thank the security officer for his assistance in disarming one of the men involved.”

He said multiple triple-0 calls, CCTV footage and the swift arrival of police was key to the arrests.

Mr Burns said police had established a ‘Community Engagement Section’ to focus on licensed premises patrols within the CBD, secondary supply of alcohol and anti-social behaviour issues across the Darwin division, including the city and Parap areas.

Police patrol the streets around the Darwin CBD. Picture: Justin Kennedy

He said the police presence would step up from Thursday April 14.

“Previously these resources have been used to assist with Covid duties. As the Covid restrictions have started to ease we have been able to reallocate staffing numbers,” Mr Burns said.

“We will be working together with other government agencies, local government and non-government entities to tackle the recent increase in anti-social behaviour.”

It comes as the Northern Territory Police Association have called for the immediate reinstatement of high-visibility policing in the CBD.

President Paul McCue said the former City Safe patrols were disbanded to increase the number of general duties patrols across Darwin, leaving officers without vital back-up while dealing with the fallout from the city’s pubs and clubs.

“Policing in an entertainment precinct can be extremely challenging,” Mr McCue said.

“When police are called to a pub because of a patron’s poor behaviour they can be extremely drunk and aggressive and among a larger crowd of onlookers which adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

“City Safe needs to be reinstated to give the public the confidence to know they will be kept safe if a violent situation arises.”

UPDATE 1.30PM MON: A POLICE officer was allegedly kicked in the head by a 19-year-old woman in a “disgraceful” attack outside the Mayberry nightclub.

Superintendent for the Darwin Division, James O’Brien said the officer was called to the Edmunds St licensed venue following reports of disturbances in the street around 3:45am, Sunday.

Superintendent O’Brien said while trying to arrest a woman for disorderly behaviour the officer was allegedly attacked.

It will be alleged a 19-year-old woman approached police and allegedly hindered the apprehension by kicking them in the head.

Superintendent O’Brien alleged after the officer was “set upon” a large crowd of drunk revellers started abusing them.

“Not only was the officer set upon, the large riotous crowd that had gathered started hurling abuse at the police,” Superintendent O’Brien said.

“It is clear from the video footage of the incident that a large proportion of the crowd was drunk.”

Superintendent O’Brien said attacks on police were unacceptable.

“Our police work hard to keep our community safe,” he said.

“Police are on the streets dealing with the worst of the worst every day.”

He said police would be working closely with other agencies to “to put a stop to the continued riotous behaviour being experienced in and around Edmunds Street”.

Superintendent O’Brien said police would be reviewing the incident very closely to determine if there were any breaches of the Liquor Act.

He said the 19-year-old woman was later arrested and charged with Hinder Police and was bailed to appear in the Darwin Local Court on 21 April 2022.

Superintendent O’Brien said the assault on the police officer remains under investigation and urged anyone with relevant information to call CrimeStoppers on 1800 000 333.

INITIAL 9AM MON: FOUR men have been arrested following an alleged brawl that took over Mitchell St.

NT Police confirmed the men were arrested on Sunday night, with officers expected to make further arrests.

Senior Sergeant Joshua Cunningham said that multiple ‘000’ calls came in around 8pm regarding a large disturbance on Mitchell St.

Snr Sgt. Cunningham said this included reports that a man was armed with a knife.

Darwin and Casuarina officers were sent into the city, and using CCTV they were able to track down the alleged offenders as they fled through the city.

“This disgusting and appalling behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstance and we will endeavour to apprehend and charge all outstanding participants,” Snr Sgt. Cunningham said.

Man accused of sexually assaulting young child

A 53-YEAR-OLD man stands accused of sexually assaulting a child under 10 in Central Australia.

NT Police said the man was arrested in relation to an alleged indecent assault of a child after becoming aware of the alleged incident on Thursday.

The man was arrested the same day.

Police said the 53-year-old has been charged with indecent dealing with a child under 10, and was remanded to appear in Tennant Creek Local Court on Friday.

Man accused of beating woman unconscious, raping her on footpath in Casuarina

A MAN is accused of knocking a woman out and raping her in the street in a horrific daylight sexual assault.

NT Police are imploring witnesses to come forward following the alleged incident at Casuarina on Wednesday.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Gavin Hopwood said police received reports of a man having sex with an unconscious woman on the footpath at Ellengowan Dr, Casuarina, at 2.50pm.

It will be alleged the 48-year-old man physically assaulted her, causing injuries to her face and knocking her unconscious before sexually assaulting her.

Police said he was arrested at the scene and taken to Palmerston Watch House, and later charged with sexual intercourse without consent and gross indecency in public.

Snr Sgt. Hopwood said police had spoken with witnesses, but were reaching out to see if anyone else could assist in their investigation.

“We believe there were more witnesses in the area at the time who have not come forward yet,” Snr Sgt. Hopwood said.

He called on any witnesses or with dashcam footage from the area around 2-3pm to contact police on 131 444, quoting the reference number 9972266.

The 48-year-old was expected to appear in Darwin Local Court on Friday.

NT WorkSafe investigation into wheelchair injuries while travelling in the Territory

THE safety watchdog is investigating a series of wheelchair injuries across the Territory, including two people who were left with broken legs.

NT WorkSafe has confirmed it was alerted to a series of vehicle incidents involving people part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in recent months.

Among the incidents under investigation were two people whose legs were broken after being incorrectly secured while travelling.

An Alice Springs wheelchair user was seriously injured after their chair jerked forward as the vehicle they were travelling behind suddenly braked.

A person under the care of a Darwin support service fell from their wheelchair as the vehicle stopped at a red light.

WorkSafe said not all restraints were properly used in both of the incidents, with one injury the result of just one of six restraint points being incorrectly secured.

NT WorkSafe said it was still in the preliminary findings stage of the ongoing inquiry.

“(It will) determine the cause of the incident and the appropriate regulatory response,” it said.

WorkSafe urged all relevant workplaces to ensure the safety of wheelchair users while travelling.

It reminded businesses to run risk assessments, make sure equipment passes industry requirements, develop a checklist system to ensure people are safe and be aware of their clients’ needs.

Man from Roper Gulf community charged with sending child abuse material

A 49-year-old man from a remote community has been charged with four counts of transmitting child abuse material following an Australian Federal Police investigation.

Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team officers arrested the man from the Roper Gulf community late last week after NT and Federal police executed a search warrant at his property on March 31.

The man, who has been charged with possessing or controlling child abuse material and four counts of transmitting child abuse material, will face the Darwin Local Court at a later date.

Detective Acting Sergeant Mark Cronin warned would-be offenders they would be caught “no matter how remote your location may be”.

AFP Detective Sergeant Richard Matejic said anybody who viewed child abuse material online was “harming a child and helping to prop up a vile industry that would abuse more children to satisfy the demand”.

“This arrest should serve as a warning that law enforcement is dedicated to fighting child sexual exploitation and abuse,” Detective Sergeant Matejic said.

Originally published as 19-year-old woman who allegedly assaulted a police officer faces court for the first time