A 20-year-old man will face court after allegedly assaulting his 18-year-old pregnant girlfriend last night.

Police received a report just before 11.30pm that an assault was taking place at an Elliott Street unit. When they arrived they found the alleged offender in the unit and the victim locked in the bathroom.

The victim, who is 20 weeks pregnant, told police she had been assaulted by the man earlier in the evening as she was walking near Hoppy's Camp. She said her boyfriend grabbed her by the hair and dragged her into the scrub. He then allegedly punched her and kicked her with steel-capped boots before whipping her with a hose and then trying to choke her. The woman managed to flee to her family in Elliott Street, however, the man found her there some time later and police were called. The victim managed to go to the bathroom and lock herself in until police arrived.

The man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and making threats to kill. He was refused bail and will appear in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court today.

Police are appealing to any members of the public who may have witnessed the attack near Hoppy's Camp around 9pm last night or the disturbance at Elliott Street to come forward. Anyone with information should phone police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.



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Theresa Kuilboer
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