A 19-year-old man was arrested early this morning following the serious assault of a 21-year-old man that occurred in the Darwin CBD.

At about 4.15 police attended the Hot Potato Nightclub as a large crowd was forming after closing time. Whilst police were there they witnessed a male assault another male who fell to the ground and smashed his head on the kerb with approximately 100 people outside the nightclub cheering the assault.

As members were attempting to arrest the offender he ran off down Mitchell Street towards Daly Street and after a foot chase was apprehended opposite Discovery Nightclub and arrested.

A number of people then converged on police and bottles were thrown at members before reinforcements arrived and the group were dispersed.

The injured male was conveyed by St John Ambulance to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.

"This type of behaviour towards police is disgraceful and could have resulted in members being injured, "said Superintendent Jamie Chalker.

"Police should be able to perform their duties without irresponsible members of the public hindering them - police are providing a service to try and ensure the public are safe whilst in the city.

"Binge drinking and the use of illicit drugs appear to be factors behind violence in our entertainment districts and police are working with licensees, security and other agencies to make the city safe but the behaviour displayed early this morning in relation to this incident is abhorrent.

"We have already identified one of the males who threw a bottle at police but I understand there may have been up to five people engaged in this behaviour. Police will continue their investigations to identify these people and place them before the courts, "said Superintendent Chalker.


Media contact:
Sue Bradley
8922 3185