A remote NT Police officer has been suspended with pay after choking and rape charges

A Territory cop who allegedly raped a colleague has been denied bail, as the acting Police Commissioner calls out the ‘scourge’ of domestic violence.

The bail application — which included a $5000 surety, weekly police checks, compliance with his domestic violence orders and the surrender of his phone and passport — was rejected.

A Territory cop who allegedly raped and choked a colleague will continue on the police payroll while he waits behind bars in Darwin prison.

The 30-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced the Darwin Local Court for the first time on Monday charged with rape, strangling and aggravated assault.

The court heard the remote police officer had finished packing his home ahead of his transfer to the Alice Springs police station, when he was arrested on Friday over the domestic violence related charges.

It was alleged that the cop and his victim had an “on again, off again” relationship which ended badly.

Prosecutor Rebecca Everitt alleged the 30-year-old “invited himself” into the woman’s home, and she allowed him to massage her.

During the massage it is alleged the police officer raped the woman.

The court heard the woman told police she had a “significant fear” of the remote cop and said “I was scared he would have sex with me without my consent”.

Defence lawyer Luke Officer said the “degree” to which he inserted himself would be part of the defence case, arguing the cop’s penis was “touching” rather than inside her.

However Ms Everitt said even if that was the case, “there are a range of other offences — serious offences — which will be made out if the degree of insertion was not thought to be enough”.

The 30-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced the Darwin Local Court for the first time on Monday.

In the Monday bail hearing, Mr Officer advocated for the Territory cop to be sent to live with his mother in Tasmania or alternatively, stay with friends in Darwin.

“He has no connection or ties to the Territory outside of his occupation as a police officer — (from) which he is now suspended,” he said.

However Ms Everitt said bail conditions were not sufficient to address the risk of the police officer interfering with his victim and witnesses.

She alleged the police officer had shown the capacity to engage in “monitoring and in my submission, stalking” of the woman.

Ms Everitt said the “nascent” investigation was considering other charges, alleging it was not an “isolated incident”.

Defence lawyer Luke Officer advocated for the Territory cop to be sent to live with his mother in Tasmania. Picture: Jason Walls

The bail application — which included a $5000 surety, weekly police checks, compliance with his domestic violence orders and the surrender of his phone and passport — was rejected.

Judge Alan Woodcock said there appeared to be a “strong” Crown case and adjourned the hearing to November 15 for a preliminary examination mention.

It comes as NT Police acting Deputy Commissioner Michael White confirmed the 30-year-old was suspended from his duties with pay.

“Domestic violence is the number one scourge of the Northern Territory … we’re not immune to that,” Mr White said.

“We're doing everything we can to work with the (alleged) victim and make sure her ongoing safety and well being continues.”

Originally published as A remote NT Police officer has been suspended with pay after choking and rape charges