Sex crimes detectives have arrested and charged a 20-year-old male with gross indecency of a child under 14, in connection to a sexual assault that occurred in Anula early Saturday morning when a girl was allegedly assaulted while sleeping in her bed.

Police were called to the Anula residence around 3:30am, after the victim told her mother about the indecent assault. She was reportedly woken by the offender while the assault was taking place. Police said at the time they believed the man was let in to the residence by another child who was staying there.

The 20-year-old man was arrested Tuesday night at an address in the northern suburbs, NT Police said Thursday.

Police said their investigation linked the man to other offending across the northern suburbs, including property and weapons offences committed between April 3 – 6.

“The male has been initially charged with two counts of aggravated burglary and gross indecency (child under 14),” police media director Mark Wilton said in a statement.

“The investigation remains ongoing, anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 and quote reference number P26098372 or report anonymously via crimestoppersnt.com.au.”

The suspect was originally described by police as a “middle-aged adult male”, while a Facebook post reportedly from a family member of the victim described the suspect as being “of African descent and had an accent”.

The man will face Darwin Local Court on April 9.