NT teen accused of machete attack on 12-year-old girlfriend

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly attacking his girlfriend with a machete while high on solvents. 

Northern Territory Police were called to the incident on Elcho Island, in north-east Arnhem Land, about 3.25am yesterday.

Officers allegedly found a 12-year-old girl with three large lacerations to the top of her head, and further cuts to her arms and hands.

Police said witnesses observed the pair having an argument and intervened to stop the attack, after earlier seeing the boy inhaling solvents.

The teenager was arrested and the Domestic Violence Unit is investigating the incident.

The girl was flown to Royal Darwin Hospital for surgery, where she was in a stable condition this afternoon.

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