Man faces NT court over assault on girl

A 31-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl in an Aboriginal community has asked a judge for protection in custody because he has been threatened by other prisoners.

Joseph Junior Gordon appeared in court for the first time on Monday since he was arrested last Thursday over the alleged indecent dealing with a child believed to be aged about seven.

Police were called to Bagot, a Darwin indigenous community or town camp of several hundred people, over the incident in the early hours of Thursday.

Nearby residents were awoken by the sounds of the girl screaming and told police they chased a man off who was trying to sexually assault the girl, who was screaming for her mother.

Gordon was arrested later that day and charged with indecent dealing with a child under 16 and abduction.

The girl was taken to hospital by ambulance and released later.

Gordon's lawyer Sam Emery told Darwin Local Court Judge Alan Woodcock that Gordon was "in need of protection and at risk of harm from others" because of the nature of the charges.

"Has he been threatened?" Judge Woodcock asked.

"He indicated that to me, yes your honour," Mr Emery said.

The judge ordered that prison authorities investigate those allegations and treat Gordon accordingly.

The NT Government Territory Families department is working with police on the investigation as part of the Child Abuse Taskforce but will not confirm if the girl's family is known to them.

Gordon was remanded in custody and is due to face court again in early April.