Northern Territory Police have charged a man for allegedly assaulting three people sleeping in a shelter in Katherine last year.

In conducting a search warrant at the man’s home in Girraween, police allegedly seized a live crocodile, an unlicensed firearm and a swordfish rostrum, among “a number of illegal items”.

Police said the crocodile was small and they were uncertain if the man had the necessary permits to keep it.

The charges and search follow an incident on October 10, 2022, when police said two men allegedly assaulted three people sleeping in a shelter on First Street in Katherine.

The 32-year-old man was arrested in Acacia on Tuesday.

He was charged with three counts of aggravated assault and firearms-related offences.

He was bailed to appear in Darwin Local Court on June 13.

Police said investigations into the assaults are ongoing.