Horror as four-year-old girl is raped outside her home in Australia – leaving her with internal injuries
A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl at a Darwin town camp in June 2025. The court lifted a publication ban after sentencing, allowing details of the case to be reported.
The court heard he lured the child to a nearby house with an offer of watermelon and caused injuries during the assault. DNA evidence matched him, and the judge said the child and her family had suffered a devastating impact; she did not contract a sexually transmitted infection. He must serve at least seven years and is eligible for parole in 2032. The case has renewed attention on safety at Northern Territory town camps.
- A man received a 10-year sentence for assaulting a four-year-old in Darwin.
- He must serve at least seven years before parole eligibility.
- The case has renewed scrutiny of safety at Northern Territory town camps.
New here? Start with this
A young child in Australia's Northern Territory has been sexually assaulted. This crime has brought attention to child safety in remote Australian communities, where children can be especially vulnerable.
The incident occurred at a town camp in Darwin. Town camps are residential settlements in remote parts of the Northern Territory, home to many Indigenous Australians and people experiencing economic disadvantage, where resources for child protection services are often stretched thin.
Child abuse in remote Australian communities has long been a concern for authorities and child protection advocates. When serious crimes occur in these settings, they typically spark broader discussions about strengthening safety measures and support systems to protect vulnerable children.