A 42-year-old NT Police officer has been suspended on full pay after being charged with aggravated assault and served with a domestic violence order following an incident at a Palmerston home while the male officer was off-duty, NT Police said.

He is also facing several other serious weapons charges stemming from an incident that occurred two days earlier.

NT Police said in a statement the incident involving the aggravated assault occurred last Thursday, September 17, but provided no details of what is alleged to have occurred.

The male officer, who was later revealed in court to be Leigh Yates, was also charged in relation to “an incident” two days earlier on September 15, the details of which were also not disclosed.

Mr Yates was charged with possessing a firearm while unlicensed; possessing ammunition without a permit or licence; two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon and two counts of possessing body armour in relation to the September 15 incident.

Police media specified the weapons related offences were “unrelated to the domestic violence incident”.

“He has been bailed to appear in the Darwin Local Court on Tuesday 22 September 2026,” police media director Mark Wilton said in the statement.

“The male officer has been suspended with pay. The matters remain under investigation.”

Mr Wilton added that “this update has been provided in accordance with the NT Police Transparency Guidelines”.

It was alleged in court on Tuesday that the acting senior sergeant assaulted his partner at their Palmerston home after a “couple of wines”.

Mr Yates’ lawyer indicated the charges would be contested and moved to have his police bail conditions altered so he can have a “casual beer” as his case proceeds through the courts, which is not expected to be heard before May 2027.

Judge Stephen Geary relaxed the conditions to permit Mr Yates to consume alcohol, the NT News reported, but not in the presence of the alleged victim with whom he shares a residence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, support is available through 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.