The NT Chief Minister’s office says the Government has withdrawn counter-claims made against two detainees who were tear-gassed in the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre.

The Northern Territory Government had previously lodged claims against two boys who were tear-gassed by prison guards at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre.

The boys, whose names have been suppressed by the Northern Territory Supreme Court, lodged papers in June this year seeking damages for alleged mistreatment at the hands of staff at the facility.

Damages, interest and costs

The NT Government’s response, filed on July 4, sought damages for an escape attempt in which the two boys stole a car, before using it to ram a roller-door and re-enter the prison.

The Government claimed the two boys escaped from Don Dale on May 31, 2015, causing $89,000 in damage.

It also claimed the boys caused $74,025.60 damage when they rammed a roller door at the prison using a stolen car on June 1, 2015.

The claims have been amended, but the NT Government had been seeking damages with interest and legal costs.

Both boys, and four others, are seeking damages for the now-infamous tear-gassing incident in the old Don Dale centre as well as a string of other claims.

The writs filed by the boys seek general, aggravated and exemplary damages to “deter and punish” the NT Government.

One of the prisoners suing is Dylan Voller, who was the prisoner strapped to a restraint chair for hours with a spit hood placed over his head.

Another is Jake Roper, who was the boy who got out of his cell in the behavioural management unit of the old Don Dale centre, which instigated the tear-gassing of all prisoners in the area.