Man who allegedly let off fireworks in nightclub denied bail due to risk to community
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A Canberra man who allegedly let off fireworks in the bathrooms of two Canberra nightclubs in 2011 has been refused bail after undergoing mental health tests.
Police alleged Scott Wyatt, 31, detonated fireworks in the bathrooms of the ICBM and Meche nightclubs in February, 2011.
Wyatt was arrested after he voluntarily attended the Gungahlin Police station last week and, according to court documents, told officers "he had recently met the lord and wanted to confess".
He was due to attend the ACT Magistrates Court last weekend, but was taken to hospital instead on a medical order to assess his mental health.
Wyatt appeared in court today on two arson charges for the incident, as well as a recent charge for possessing a drug of dependence namely methamphetamine.
Told police he had nitroglycerin in car
Prosecutor Trent Hickey told the court that while at the police station, Wyatt also told officers he had the explosive nitroglycerin in his car.
Mr Hickey said the entire Gungahlin Police station then had to be shut down as well as a lockdown of the surrounding area as a precaution.
He said while Wyatt did not have any explosives, his claim showed his "erratic" state of mind and argued he should not be given bail.
"If he is having delusional thoughts, hearing voices … then how does he not pose a risk to the community?" Mr Hickey said.
"Of course he does."
Poses serious threat of reoffending: Magistrate
Mr Hickey said Wyatt's long-standing drug issues meant he could not be trusted not to reuse if he was let out of custody.
Wyatt's Legal Aid lawyer argued his lack of serious offending since 2011 showed he had been making an effort to "clean up his life".
They said he was willing and committed to seek counselling for his drug and mental health issues.
But Magistrate Bernadette Boss said she was not satisfied that Wyatt would not pose a serious threat or reoffend if released.
Ms Boss also pointed to Wyatt's history of not appearing before the court as another reason why she did not grant bail.
She remanded Wyatt in custody until his next court date in February.
Topics: courts-and-trials, law-crime-and-justice, canberra-2600, act
