A prisoner climbed from the dock of a Darwin court into the roof during an escape attempt before falling through the ceiling, courtroom staff have said.

Police attended the Darwin Magistrates Court at about 3:00pm today after reports of a prisoner escaping custody.

Court staff said the man had been led into the dock, which is enclosed in perspex sheeting.

He climbed up the walls of the dock, into the ceiling space.

A short time later he fell through the ceiling onto the floor of the court.

The man did not sustain serious any injuries and was removed by police.

The prisoner had been facing court for a number of charges, including aggravated assault and possessing methamphetamine.