Details of allegations of bestiality against a Darwin man have been suppressed from publication as they would "likely offend against public decency", according to a local court judge.
A Darwin man, aged in his fifties, faced court for the first time today after he was charged with almost 20 animal cruelty-related offences last week.
The man cannot be identified under Northern Territory law, due to the nature of the charges.
He appeared via video link from Darwin Correctional Centre and did not make an application for bail.
NT Police said the Northern Territory Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team arrested the man at a rural property last Friday, after a "significant number" of videos allegedly depicting bestiality and animal cruelty were found.
"The contents of the videos is abhorrent," Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Jon Beer said at the time.
"If members of the public came across this material they would be revolted.
"It is incomprehensible that an individual could imagine such acts let alone carry them out. The depravity is deeply disturbing."
The man appeared in the Darwin Local Court today, represented by barrister Mary Chalmers SC and Julie Franz.
Ms Chalmers successfully argued to have the details of the allegations against her client suppressed from publication "at this stage."
"Judicial hearings should take place in open court… with no restriction on reporting, which is a fundamental [principle] of our criminal justice system," said Ms Chalmers.
"However, there are occasions where that principle must yield [to] the paramount duty of the court, to ensure that justice is done.
Ms Chalmers said "issues of undue prejudice and hardship" made it "desirable" to prohibit the publication of the details of the evidence.
Prosecutors said that while there was an "overriding" principle of openness in the court system, they did not oppose the application.
Judge Alan Woodcock ruled the publication of evidence was "likely to offend against public decency" and it would be "in the interests of the administration of justice" to restrict reporting on the case.
Under Northern Territory legislation, any person charged with a sexual offence cannot be identified until the defendant is committed for trial or sentence.
The man will return to court in June.
