Docker River man charged after alleged threats to set self on fire, choking partner

A man who allegedly bit his partner’s face and later threatened to set himself on fire before strangling her has been arrested and is due to face court.

Police news NT. Picture: supplied.

A man who allegedly bit his partner’s face and later threatened to set himself on fire has been arrested and is due to face court.

Southern Watch Commander Marc Watson alleged the series of serious domestic violence incidents began in Kaltukatjara, Docker River, on Monday.

Sergeant Watson said the 46-year-old man allegedly bit his 49-year-old female partner’s face on Monday.

But the scale of alleged offending worsened on Wednesday morning when the pair visited the small community’s local store.

“Witnesses have stated that the male (allegedly) became angered and doused himself with petrol and made threats to set himself alight with a cigarette lighter,” Sergeant Watson said.

“His partner intervened and removed the lighter from his grasp – the male (allegedly) responded by grabbing her around her throat and choking her.”

Sergeant Watson said bystanders intervened and the man fled the scene but was found and arrested in the community on Thursday.

He said the man had since been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, one count of breaching a domestic violence order, and one count of choking and strangulation.

Sergeant Watson said the man was due to appear in the Alice Springs Local Court on Monday.