The Northern Territory news Tue 17 Dec 2019
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2019-12-17
English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin
News Corp Australia
Darwin
application/pdf
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/756630
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/761420
02 NEWS TUESDAY DECEMBER 17 2019 NTNE01Z01MA - V1 General inquiries: 8944 9900 Classifieds: 13 11 13 Business advertising: 1300 857 202 Circulation: 1800 639 700 Online: www.ntnews.com.au Editorial email: news@ntnews.com.au Other inquiries: online@ntnews.com.au Wicking ..........................24 Your say .........................24 Super Snaps...................25 World ..............................18 Shares.............................23 Sudoku...........................26 Horoscopes ................... 26 Comics............................27 Todays Quiz ..................27 Television.......................27 Buy Search Sell..............28 Weather.........................39 Sports update ............... 30 Racing .............................19In si de IndexContactsSport gets lit up NIGHT-time football and soccer in the suburbs will become a reality in 2020, with Bagot, Gardens and Nightcliff ovals about to get lit up. Darwin electrical company ESPEC has won the $7 million contract to install lights at the ovals. P6: FULL STORY The NT News has taken all possible care but cannot accept responsibility for any errors, whether due to equipment fault, staff handling or any other cause. 30 45 17 20 42 37 39 8SUPPS Monday Lotto Monday 16-12-19 Draw No. 3930 DARWIN business identity Clinton James Hoffmann the brother of alleged Darwin gunman Benjamin Glenn Hoffmann will plead guilty to assault, the Darwin Local Court has heard. Hoffmann was charged with assaulting a worker and disorderly behaviour in a public place following a scuffle at the Graze gourmet food festival in May last year. He is being represented in court by lawyers Jon Tippett Strati Melas won last years Darwin Christmas lights competition and has put up a much bigger display this year Picture: KATRINA BRIDGEFORD Strati the shining light of his family WHILE Strati Melas mates are spending their time on Mitchell St, the 19-year-old has been meticulously putting together one of Darwins most extravagant Christmas lights displays. Putting up the lights each year was a treasured tradition in the Melas family through Stratis youth. While his family members interest has waned, Strati is more committed than ever. Not even a stint in hospital after receiving a mild electric shock from exposed wires stopped his enthusiasm for the Christmas spirit. He single-handedly decked out the family homes entire front yard with lights, inflatables and even a snow machine. Santa himself will also visit the house each night to greet any passers-by and give out chocolates. After getting a large crowd come through last year because of winning (the Mix104.9 Christmas lights competition), I just thought I have a reputation out there now and Ive got to live up to it, so its much larger than last years or any previous years, he said. Being probably the biggest display in Stuart Park, its great to see all the families come down and all the kids have the biggest smiles, he said. You can see Stratis display from 7.30-11pm in Charles St, Stuart Park each night until January 3. ALICIA PERERA Rider dies after crash A MAN died yesterday morning from critical injuries sustained when his motorcycle collided with a car in Howard Springs on December 8. The 35-year-old motorcycle rider was transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital with serious head injuries and suspected pelvis fractures by St John Ambulance personnel after the incident, which occurred on Whitewood Rd just east of the Hillier Rd intersection about 1pm. At the time of the crash, no information had been provided by NT Police or St John Ambulance about the condition of the driver of the car. The road toll remains at 31 following the investigation into the death of a 55-year-old man who died in a motorcycle collision on Tiger Brennan Drive on Sunday, December 8. Trial delay on asylum fight A TAMIL asylum-seeker family detained on Christmas Island will remain there for at least two more months ahead of a Federal Court trial. Sri Lankan couple Priya and Nades Murugappan, and their Australian-born daughters Kopika and Tharunicaa, are fighting Federal Government attempts to deport the family. Priya, Nades and Kopika have been refused refugee status, but Tharunicaa is fighting to apply for protection. Hoffmann to say I did it Businessman will plead guilty to assaultJASON WALLSjason.walls1@news.com.au QC and Matt Hubber. During a directions hearing yesterday, Mr Hubber told the court his client intended to plead guilty to both charges. However, Mr Hubber said discussions with prosecutors had failed to resolve the matter entirely and a disputed facts hearing would be necessary to determine whether it was a punch or a slap. A hearing needs to be had as to a very narrow issue, he said. Mr Hubber said up to four civilian witnesses who saw the altercation would be called to give evidence when the case returned to court. Judge John Neill adjourned the matter for a disputed facts hearing and plea on March 11. Hoffmann has been excused from appearing in court if represented. Meanwhile, Benjamin Hoffmann has indicated he will contest murder charges stemming from the alleged June rampage and is expected to face trial in the Supreme Court next year. An accountant by trade and a former top amateur sportsman, Clinton Hoffmann counts current Australian opening Test and one-day international batsman David Warner among his mates. It was Hoffmanns connection with Warner that saw the batsman visit Darwin last year during his ban from competitive cricket. His most recent brainchild, the DriveAbout app, for which Warner is an ambassador, has won national awards and widespread praise including from Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack for its contribution to improving road safety in remote communities. Hoffmann, originally from Gove, moved to Darwin in the early 1980s and is a fixture in Darwins business and social circles. Clinton Hoffmann