A 28-year-old man remains in custody currently assisting Crime detectives in relation to the assault of a 45-year-old man.

Detective Acting Sergeant Jakson Evans said the two men were at a residence in Tivendale early Sunday morning when the offender allegedly struck the victim, causing him to fall to the ground.

“The man was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital on Sunday and remains in a critical but stable condition.

“The incident was reported to Police yesterday and investigations led to the arrest of the alleged offender this morning at Darwin Airport.

He is expected to be charged later today.