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NT Police officer accused of rape to be paid in prison

By AAP Newswire

Sep 25, 2023

NT police signage (file image) — An NT cop accused of rape has been remanded in custody but remains on the police payroll. -AAP Image

A Northern Territory police officer accused of raping and choking a woman will continue to be paid as he waits behind bars for his next court hearing.

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The 30-year-old man has been charged with sexual intercourse without consent, choking, strangling or suffocating in a domestic relationship and aggravated assault.

He was refused bail on Monday afternoon and is due to spend at least six weeks in a Darwin jail.

Prosecutor Rebecca Everitt told Darwin Local Court the man had invited himself into the woman's home and given her a massage before allegedly raping her.

Defence lawyer Luke Officer argued the man should be given bail to return to live with family in Tasmania or stay with friends in Darwin as he waits for his case to continue.

Judge Allan Woodcock said the crown case was "strong" and rejected the bail application made by Mr Officer.

Earlier, NT Police confirmed the man had been stood down from his position however would continue to be on the payroll.

"Domestic violence is the number one scourge of the Northern Territory, we're not immune to that," Deputy Commissioner Michael White said on Monday morning.

"With any assault of such a nature, we take it very seriously and we're doing everything we can to work with the victim."

The man is due back in court on November 15.