Former Moonee Valley mayor jailed for teen sexual assault as identity gag lifted

Former Moonee Valley mayor Cameron Nation, 42, admitted to sexually assaulting a 17-year-old after inviting the teenager to his home in December 2019, where nitrous oxide was used before the abuse. He pleaded guilty to child sexual assault under his authority and was sentenced by magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz to three months in jail and an 18-month community corrections order, with the court lifting a previous suppression order on his identity.

The magistrate described the conduct as a serious breach of trust, despite Nation’s remorse and low risk of reoffending. Defence lawyer Sam Norton contended the incident was a brief, unplanned lapse and warned that incarceration could severely damage Nation’s mental health, citing a prior suicide attempt and a recent breakup. Prosecutors and media lawyer Natasha Connors opposed extending the gag, arguing the public’s right to know outweighed mental-health concerns. Nation plans to appeal both the sentencing and the decision to lift the suppression order.