John Nocen, Canberra man charged with domestic violence offences

A man has faced court following a dramatic alleged domestic violence incident where he allegedly attempted to set a police officer on fire.

A man has been refused bail after he allegedly threw petrol on a police officer responding to an alleged domestic violence incident.

A Canberra man who allegedly doused a police officer in petrol during a response to alleged domestic violence will remain behind bars on remand.

Police will allege John William Nocen, 43, assaulted his ex-partner after breaking in to a Tuggeranong residence through a window on Tuesday night.

Police say they arrived on the scene at 8pm, and were allegedly told by family members that Mr Nocen had threatened to set the house on fire.

It is alleged officers found Mr Nocen at a shed in at the back of the residence pouring petrol onto an already alight freezer.

Police allege when they attempted to remove him from the shed he poured petrol on an officer and attempted to use a lighter to set them on fire.

Police had to use pepper spray to subdue Mr Nocen, and a family member ultimately extinguished the fire in the shed with a garden hose.

Police allege Mr Nocen attempted to set an officer alight during a dramatic incident on Tuesday night. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Mr Nocen first appeared at court on Wednesday charged with aggravated assault causing actual bodily harm, aggravated common assault, destroy or damage property and assaulting a frontline community service provider.

He was also charged with acts endangering life to wit throwing an inflammable substance, acts endangering life to wit intentionally using an inflammable substance and resisting a territory public official.

His lawyer applied for a mental health assessment on Mr Nocen’s behalf, however prosecutors opposed the application stating The Canberra Hospital was not secure.

The prosecutor told the court Mr Nocen had outstanding serious matters in NSW and said the most recent allegations against him included extreme violence towards police.

He said it appeared Mr Nocen had an “inability to regulate his behaviour”.

Mr Nocen’s lawyer responded, telling the court if her client is appropriately medicated “it likely follows the risk to others and himself is reduced”.

Chief Magistrate Lorraine walker told the court it was “unusual” to see a situation where prosecutors opposed a mental health assessment application.

Ms Walker noted Mr Nocen had a history of domestic violence, and said there were more secure mental health facilities available, such as Dhulwa, if The Canberra Hospital was not secure enough.

She ultimately made the mental health order.

When Mr Nocen returned to court on Thursday, his application for bail was refused by Magistrate James Stewart.