NT Sergeant Patrick Carson Sues Government Over Malicious Prosecution

Northern Territory (NT) Police Sergeant Patrick Carson is taking legal action against the NT government, alleging malicious prosecution after his swift acquittal on rape charges in 2022. The lawsuit claims prosecutors pursued the case despite weak evidence, causing Carson significant distress and reputational damage, raising concerns about the misuse of legal processes under the current Labor government.

In 2020, Sergeant Carson faced two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, accused of assaulting a young woman he befriended. The NT Supreme Court trial, held in 2022, saw jurors deliberate for just 40 minutes before unanimously finding him not guilty, a verdict Carson says reaffirmed his innocence. “There are no winners in a case like this,” he stated outside court, flanked by his wife and supporters, as reported by ABC News. His lawsuit targets the NT government and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Lloyd Babb SC, alleging prosecutors pushed the case to trial for improper reasons, including a desire to avoid appearing to protect a police officer. Carson’s legal team claims the prosecution lacked reasonable grounds, citing redacted court documents that question the complainant’s credibility.

The lawsuit argues Carson endured “distress, embarrassment, and humiliation” from a public arrest and trial, exacerbated by what he calls a politically charged prosecution. His barrister, Mary Chalmers SC, described the complainant as unreliable, pointing to over 800 pages of social media messages suggesting a mutual relationship. The NT government, under Labor leadership, has denied the claims, asserting prosecutors acted in good faith. However, Carson’s lawsuit contends the DPP’s refusal to withdraw the case, despite doubts from prosecutor Marty Aust SC about its viability, points to a vendetta rather than justice. “The proceeding was maintained for the dominant purpose of simply getting a result,” court documents state, per ABC News.

This case highlights broader concerns about the Labor government’s oversight of the justice system, with critics arguing it prioritizes optics over fairness. As the case heads to court on July 30, Carson seeks aggravated damages and compensation for legal costs and reputational harm. The outcome could set a precedent for holding authorities accountable, prompting questions about prosecutorial overreach in the NT.