An alleged sexual relationship between a well-known Northern Territory whip maker and a 19-year-old woman ignited an incident that left a man with a bullet wound in his leg, the Northern Territory Supreme Court has heard.

Key points: The court heard Thomas MacIntyre and two other men went to Michael Denigan's house with an axe

The court heard Thomas MacIntyre and two other men went to Michael Denigan's house with an axe It heard Mr MacIntyre put the axe down after taking a few steps onto the property

It heard Mr MacIntyre put the axe down after taking a few steps onto the property Mr MacIntyre was shot in the leg

On the first day of a trial yesterday, Michael Denigan, the face of Darwin stock whips business, Mick's Whips, pleaded not guilty to unlawfully causing serious harm to Thomas MacIntyre, saying he acted in self-defence.

The prosecution told the court that on February 23 last year, Mr MacIntyre and a group of friends were gathering at a property in Darwin's rural area when they discussed Mr Denigan's alleged relationship with a 19-year-old woman, who is the sister of one of the men in the group.

The court heard the group had access to the woman's Facebook account and messages were sent from it to Mr Denigan.

The defence said that later that night, while Mr Denigan was working on a whip order, he went outside and locked his gate after receiving the messages.

The court heard the group of men then phoned another friend, who picked them up in his ute, which had an axe in the tray.

Mr MacIntyre and two others then drove to Mr Denigan's property and Mr MacIntyre entered the property holding the axe and a can of beer, the court heard.

Mr MacIntyre said he put the axe down after taking a few steps onto the property.

Thomas MacIntyre was shot in the leg. ( Supplied )

When asked by defence lawyer John Tippet QC if he put his can of beer down once he entered, Mr MacIntyre told the court: "I live in the NT, I don't waste beer."

Mr Tippett said Mr Denigan shot Mr MacIntyre in the right leg using a double-barrelled shotgun once he entered the property and threatened him with a second shot.

"You've got five seconds to get off the property because the next one will be in your other leg," the court was told Mr Denigan said.

The court heard one of the other men then entered the property and helped Mr MacIntyre leave, using the axe as a crutch.

It is agreed the group of men later met with police and emergency services at Noonamah Tavern.