Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Man found in phone box after NT sex attack
NT police have charged a man who allegedly fled naked from a Palmerston home after he attempted to sexually assault a child.
December 9, 2022
A man found naked inside a phone box after fleeing a Northern Territory home after allegedly attempting to sexually assault a child has been charged.
Police say the 22-year-old entered a Palmerston home about 2.30pm on Wednesday and attempted to assault a child aged between six and 10-years-old.
Other people in the house discovered the man, described by police as stocky and about 150cm tall, and he fled from the home into the surrounding streets.
It triggered a massive police search throughout Thursday, with investigators calling on the community for information about the man’s movements.
Officers from the serious crime squad arrested the man about 9am on Friday in a nearby suburb.
“Detectives flooded the area of Palmerston this morning and located the suspect in a phone box,” Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Day told reporters.
“There’s no place for predators like this in the community and it’s a great result to get someone like this off the streets.”
The man has been charged with attempted sexual assault and unlawful entry, and remains in custody.
Det Snr Sgt Day said the alleged attempted sexual assault was a “heinous” incident.
“He’s not known to any members of the family and it appears to have been an opportunistic crime,” he said.
“It appears the offender was interrupted by family members, so some good news perhaps.”