A 22-year-old Palmerston man, believed to be dealing and using drugs, is facing multiple charges for allegedly detaining and beating his ex-partner in the presence of their child for almost two weeks, NT police said.

On April 13, the mother, who police described as “young” but did not disclose her age, went to a house in Palmerston with her small child for a family visit.

It was not disclosed whose house they visited or if there were other people in the residence during their visit.

The woman told authorities that her ex-partner, allegedly under the influence of drugs, refused to allow her and their child to leave the house and held them against their will.

It was also not clarified if the house they visited is the same house they were held captive.

Police said the woman was allegedly assaulted by the man several times, in the presence of their child over 12 days.

On April 25, the woman and her child managed to escape the house in which they were detained and sought help from her friends who then contacted police.

The condition of the woman and the child was not disclosed, but police said they are receiving assistance from the relevant support services.

The man was arrested on Monday and charged on Tuesday. NT police report the incident two days after the arrest.

He has been taken into custody and will face Darwin Local Court on Wednesday to answer to multiple charges including deprivation of liberty, breach of a domestic violence order, aggravated assault, criminal damage, and supplying a dangerous drug.

“This was a terrible ordeal for the victim and her child, and this kind of behaviour has to stop,” Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lawson from the Domestic and Family Violence Section said.

“We will continue to target repeat and high-risk offenders as a priority and bring them before the courts.”

Sgt Lawson urged anyone with relevant information about this case to contact them on 131 444 and quote reference 9669032.